People around Topeka are starting off the new year in the giving spirit...

The Community Blood Center held a blood drive Wednesday at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

They say they are critically low on supply at this time of year, and need all the help they can get.

CBS Recruiter Kathy Belanger says such calls for help are always answered by people in the Topeka area.

"People come in from an hour away to donate here and we can't say thanks enough," Belanger said. "Whenever we are appealing to donors they definitely come in from the heart. This is a brand new year and if you've never donated before now is the time, come in, give us 45 minutes of your time, pump up your heart and save lives."

All people who donated Wednesday got a free t-shirt.