The most precious liquid for life will be collected to help keep City of Picayune employees in good health.

A blood drive for and from City of Picayune employees will take place at the Blood Center in Picayune to ensure that any employees who need blood will receive it free of charge for one year.

Blood will be collected for the drive during Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All Fire Department, Police Department and City Hall employees will have the option to donate or have another community member donate for them, said Community Relations Officer Monica Jacobson with the Picayune Police Department.

“We thought this was an excellent time of year to partnership with other city workers in an effort to help the Blood Center have adequate supply during the holiday season,” said Deputy Chief David Ervin. “We felt this would be a good gift to the Blood Center for city employees. We certainly hope everyone has a safe holiday, but in the event there is a need this will help ensure there is an adequate supply available.”

If 25 percent of the City of Picayune employees donate blood it will ensure that an unconditional blood supply is available to them for one year, Jacobson said. Picayune Blood Center Supervisor Annie Hallmark said an unconditional supply means that if any employee needs blood it will be provided to them free of charge. Hallmark said that if for some reason an employee is unable to donate, another member of the community can donate for them to help them reach their goal.

“The whole county is invited to come in and help the Police Department make their goal so they’ll be covered,” Hallmark said.

All blood collected at the Picayune Blood Center is sent to Highland Community Hospital.

“So the blood is staying in your community,” Hallmark said.

During the drive there will be camouflage shirts available to donors, Hallmark said. The Blood Center in Picayune is open all year on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located next to Speedee Oil Change in Picayune, Hallmark said.