HERKIMER, N.Y. (WKTV) - The American Red Cross says there is a shortage of blood around this time every year, and to get people out and donating, Dunkin Donuts is offering a pound of coffee for a pint of blood.

A blood drive was held Monday at the Herkimer First United Methodist Church.

Donor specialists say they are really in need of A-negative and O-negative blood, but they will take anything they can get - and even offer a couple of tips.

"Just make sure you are really hydrated," said Kathy Sharette, a donor specialist. "Drink a lot of water the day before and the day of, and that you eat a really good meal, you know, all day, you know - you just come in and if you have any problems, you just talk to us and we'll talk you through it."

If you would like to donate, you can find blood drives at the following locations:

*Herkimer County Office Building - January 23 - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
*Faxton Medical Center - January 25 - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
*St. Luke's Hospital - January 26 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
*Carbone Pontiac - January 26 - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
*St. John's Lutheran Church in Rome - January 27 - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For a complete list of blood drives in the Mohawk Valley, you can visit www.redcrossblood.org