The purpose of the bloodshed at the Battle of Banks is to save lives and help in the recovery of the sulfur tornado.

SULFUR, Okla. (KXII) – Partners BancFirst, Vision Bank and First National Bank of Sulfur are teaming up to get as many blood donors as possible for charitable causes.

“Sulfur has been through a lot this year and we understand that recovery will take time and it will require the community to come together,” said Daniel Castillo of Vision Bank.

Daela Echols with the Oklahoma Blood Institute says local hospitals need 1,500 blood donations every day, and with blood shortages during the holidays, every donation matters.

“When the holidays come around, donations are down, people aren’t giving as much, so events like this are critical for us to be able to meet the needs of our hospitals,” Echols said.

Bryce Chitwood with United Way of South Central Oklahoma says they need 30 donors, so $15 will be added to the Long-Term Sulfur Recovery Fund for every blood donation received.

“To give back and ensure that people who are working to rebuild their lives have the resources to do so,” Chitwood said.

Robin Jolly of First National Bank in Sulfur says it will be a long recovery since April’s tornado left the downtown area in ruins, but says the drive hopes to help those in need.

“We’ve lost a lot of our sales tax base and our downtown business district, and that’s very difficult for a small town,” Jolly said. “We’re trying to come together and do everything we can to try to put everything back together and get us back to thriving,” she added.

Echols says donors can help recover tornado victims, save lives and win prizes.

“We encourage everyone to come and donate, get a fried pie, have a chance to win a YETI cooler and save three lives,” Echols said.

The ride will begin on November 12 from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm at Crossway Baptist Church in Sulphur.