If the weather has been a hindrance to your daily (or weekly) routine, think about what it has meant to organizations dependent upon the help of others to fulfill their missions. For the American Red Cross, January can be a difficult month. Weather is a factor, yes, but so is the active cold and flu season, which may make it harder for some to keep blood donation appointments or be eligible to donate.

“The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations,” the Red Cross said in a news release.

As part of its effort to combat the reduction in blood donations this time of year, January is National Blood Donor Month and provides an opportunity for the Red Cross to team up with the National Football League to give those who donate by Jan. 26 an automatic entry for a chance to win a Super Bowl LIX trip and giveaway.

There are plenty of opportunities to donate blood coming up in the Mahoning Valley.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

HUBBARD

Wednesday: Noon-6 p.m., St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 367 N. Main St.

KINSMAN

Jan. 20: 12:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Rock of Grace Kinsman, 6745 state Route 5

NILES

Jan. 28: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Niles Wellness Center, 213 Sharkey Drive

WARREN

Today: Noon-6 p.m., Howland Community Church, 198 Niles Cortland Road

Tuesday: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., St. Demetrios Community Center, 3223 Atlantic St.

Jan. 28: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Avalon Golf and Country Club-The Grand Resort, 9519 E. Market St.

MAHONING COUNTY

AUSTINTOWN

Jan. 25: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Austintown Library, 600 S. Raccoon Road

BERLIN CENTER

Jan. 29: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Western Reserve High School, 13850 Akron-Canfield Road

BOARDMAN

Jan. 27: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Boardman Public Library, 7680 Glenwood Ave.

CANFIELD

Tuesday: 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Canfield United Methodist Church, 27 S. Broad St.

Jan. 22: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., South Range Elementary School, 11300 Columbiana-Canfield Road

Jan. 29: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Waypoint 1480, 4173 Westford Place

LOWELLVILLE

Jan. 30: 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Lowellville High School, 52 Rocket Place

NEW MIDDLETOWN

Jan. 21: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Windsor Estates Assisted Living, 5240 Windsor Way

Jan. 30: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Springfield High School, 11335 Youngstown Pittsburgh Road

NORTH LIMA

Jan. 28: 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Mount Olivet United Church of Christ, 410 West South Range Road

POLAND

Jan. 21: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Poland Library, 311 S. Main St.

YOUNGSTOWN

Jan. 25: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane

Jan. 27: 1 p.m.-6 p.m., St. Christine’s Parish, 3165 Schenley Avenue

Jan. 29: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Youngstown State University Kilcawley Center, 1 University Plaza

Jan. 30: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Park Vista, 1216 Fifth Avenue

Jan. 31: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Elizabeth Hospital Boardman, 8401 Market Street

COLUMBIANA COUNTY

COLUMBIANA

Friday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Columbiana Allen Masonic Lodge #276, 722 Meadow Lane

Jan. 23: 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Das Dutch Village Inn, 150 Ohio 14

HANOVERTON

Thursday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., United Local High School, 8143 state Route 9

LEETONIA

Jan. 23: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Leetonia High School, 450 Walnut St.

LISBON

Jan. 30: 9:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m., Lisbon High School, 260 W. Pine St.

SALEM

Wednesday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Salem Regional Medical Center, 1995 E. State St.

Red Cross officials note those with Type O negative blood and those giving platelets are especially needed right now.

The Super Bowl is nice. But there are more important reasons to give. Choose your blood drive, bundle up and head out to roll up your sleeves knowing you are helping someone — and maybe even saving a life.