ARDMORE -- Last week we told you about Joy Buchanan and her efforts to organize a local blood drive in honor of our troops. Monday, as the Oklahoma Blood Institute announced it had hit a "critical need" level, Buchanan and her soldier son who's just home for the holidays watched on, as more than a dozen people came out and donated. Shelby Levins reports.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute says it needs more donors. Right now, it has less than a 2-day supply on hand. But Monday's blood drive at the IBC Bank is helping to replenish the depleted inventory, and it's also serving another purpose - honoring our troops.

"My mother called me over in Iraq and explained to me what was going on. It's not really what I expected. I didn't think it'd be this big but it was,” David Buchanan explained.

David Buchanan was serving in Iraq when his mother, Joy Buchanan, began planning the drive. Both mother and son say they enjoy helping others.

"Makes me feel good. I like to help. I'm always trying to help somebody,” David said.

David was deployed out of Fort Hood and was set to return in November, but remained in Iraq until this month, missing the deadly mass shooting at his post. Joy knew just how close she could have come to losing her son, and initially wanted to organize the blood drive right after the tragedy. But OBI said there would be a greater need around the holidays.

And now with the non-profit organization hitting a “critical need” level, administrators say the drive couldn't have come at a better time.

"We're in a critical need to get the supply built back up because we've got another 3-day weekend coming up this weekend for the holiday and we've also got severe weather and or ice in the forecast,” Randy Gentry with OBI explained.

OBI says the severe weather kept many donors away last week, while causing hundreds of traffic accidents and dozens of injuries across the state. Now the blood institute is asking for all donors to step up and give.

David says he's happy to serve abroad or at home and he's just doing his part to help fill the shelves.

"Between serving the county and serving the community, it's not a lot. It all makes you feel better,” David said.

OBI has blood drives planed through out this week.

Tuesday - Arbuckle hospital in Sulphur and at the Garvin County Sheriff's office in Pauls Valley.

Wednesday – Mercy Health in Marietta

Thursday – Wal-Mart Super Center in Durant.

In addition, the Ardmore Center is extending its hours. The center will be open New Year’s Eve - Dec 31st (8:00am-4:00pm), Saturday Jan 2nd (8:00am-2:00pm) and Sunday Jan 3rd (12:30pm- 4:00pm).