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ALBANY, GA. --
American Red Cross officials say during the holidays their blood supply tends to go down and now thanks to one Albany High School student, those numbers are getting a boost.

Abigail Shepherd hosted her second blood drive at the Albany Mall.

The drive started at 3:00 p.m. and by 4:00 p.m, 13 people had already donated.

Shepherd's goal was to get 50 people to donate.

By meeting her goal, she would be entered into a contest to win a $2,000 scholarship. If Shepherd only got 35 people to contribute blood, she would still be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship drawing.

However, she says the money wasn't her only motivation.

“I did a lot of scholarship essays and I didn't really get anywhere with them, but doing the blood drive I got somewhere and that really surprised me. When I actually got up and did something for the community and helped people, it kind of turned out good for me as well in the end,” said Abigail Shepherd.

The Red Cross also held another blood drive in the Winn-Dixie parking lot on Old Dawson Road.

Officials say if anyone wants to donate, the fixed site on Dawson Road will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Saturday and from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Next Saturday on November 5^th a blood drive will be held at Elements Coffee on Ledo Road. That event will last from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.