The Daily Freeman is reporting the American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood donors due to a severe winter blood shortage. The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites for more donors to give blood or platelets. Overall, the Red Cross has added nearly 200 hours to blood donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks. The Red Cross will sponsor blood drives at the following locations during the coming weeks: The Germantown schools on Main Street, Thu., Jan. 12; the Catskill United Methodist Church on Woodward Ave., Sat., Jan. 14; and, at the Hudson Elks Lodge on Harry Howard Ave., Thu., Feb. 2. More information is available at Red Cross Blood [dot] org.