A blood drive was held in Marine Park Sunday with the goal to compensate for what blood banks say is the slow turnout of donations during the winter months.

Donors came to the Carro Community Center for the blood drive hosted by the Flatlands Volunteer Ambulance Corps in collaboration with the New York Blood Center.

About 22 people signed up, including Jonathan Rodriguez, who said that he has been donating since college.

"Even donating was hard during the pandemic, but I kept doing it because it's the right thing to do," Rodriguez said.

"When I approach people asking if they'll donate, they say, 'why should I?' What if you needed it and no one else gave?" said Joe Auerbach, of the Flatlands Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

There are side effects to donating blood, which include feeling lightheaded but that's why there were snacks and juices available for donors who gave blood.

If you would like to help save lives by donating blood, follow this link.