For many, watching the classic holiday movie “Elf” has been a heartwarming tradition for 20 years. This November, the American Red Cross is encouraging people to add a new tradition as the holiday season begins: 

Spread cheer with a blood donation. 

Donations are critical to the blood supply as the holiday season draws near – a time when blood donations often decline. Donors of all blood types are urged to give, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets.

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the film “Elf” and create holiday cheer, all who come to give Nov. 10-30 will receive an exclusive pair of “Elf” + Red Cross socks, while supplies last. For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Elf.

It feels good to give a gift to someone else that truly means something. Those wishing to help patients receive lifesaving transfusions can book a blood donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 10-30:

Great Bend:

• Nov. 13 - 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 1011 Kansas Ave.

• Nov. 20 - 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker Ave.

• Nov. 27 - 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 1011 Kansas Ave.

• Dec. 4 - 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4124 Broadway

Ellinwood:

• Dec. 4 - 12:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 110 W. 2nd St.

Ellsworth:

• Dec. 5 - noon to 6 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 911 N. Kansas

Larned:

• Dec. 8 - noon to 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 M Road

Little River:

Nov. 10 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little River Community, 410 Clinton

Sterling:

Nov. 17 - noon to 6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 137 N. Broadway

Gorham

Nov. 28 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gorham Community City Building

Russell:

Nov. 30 - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Russell High School

Nov. 30 - 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Otterbein Methodist Church