From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday the merchants of the Howell Plaza will hold a blood drive to benefit the Central Jersey Blood Center.

For those who give their time, and their blood, the local businesses will be offering discounts, raffles and $10 gas cards to all participants. In preparation for Halloween the shops will also have sweet treats for the donors. 

A press release from the shopping center said just how important donations are during these times. "The need for blood donors is a constant one throughout the world, and right here at home in New Jersey," it said. "The Central Jersey Blood Center works continuously to ensure a full supply at their blood center of New Jersey."

There are three centers associated with the company including the one in Howell that "serve local hospitals to help treat premature babies, trauma victims, cancer patients and others that need life saving blood," the release added.

Donors can be as young as 16-years-old with parents permission and as old as 75-years-old.