We Are Blood is encouraging Central Texas to kick off the new year by donating blood at a local hospital.

The overview: In honor of its 75th anniversary, the organization will host its Partners for Patients event from Jan. 2-9 at nearly 20 hospitals and emergency medical service agencies across Central Texas. The blood drive campaign, held during National Blood Donor Month, is intended to combat blood shortages experienced during and after the holidays, according to We Are Blood information.

How it works: Interested participants can sign up for a time slot to donate blood at several locations from Jan. 2-9.

Why it matters: “During the holidays, emergencies do not slow down,” said Davis Winget, Williamson County clinical practices captain, in a news release. “As first responders, we see firsthand how donated blood saves lives every day. Partnering with We Are Blood helps ensure patients have what they need when it matters most.”

Safety improvements along routes to Zilker Elementary School are now complete, according to city of Austin officials.

The details: City officials said the upgrades aim to improve safety for students and families walking and biking to and from campus. The work included a curb extension at Rundell Place and Ann Arbor Avenue and three flashing solar-powered school zone beacons installed near Zilker Neighborhood Park, along Rundell Place near Bluebonnet Lane, and near Ann Arbor Avenue.

Additional improvements include six new pedestrian crossing islands along Bluebonnet Lane at Ashby Avenue, Ford Street, and Anita Drive, Arpdale Street and Meadowridge Drive, as well as a midblock crossing across from Zilker Neighborhood Park. A protected two-way bike lane was also added along Rundell Place between Bluebonnet Lane and Rabb Road.

The project was funded through the city’s 2016 and 2020 mobility bond programs and is part of Austin’s $27.5 million Safe Routes to School, Pedestrian Crossings and Bikeways initiatives, according to city documents.

Read about developments Community Impact has been following in San Marcos, Buda, Kyle and Dripping Springs.

1. $27M Buda project breaks ground on local shops, community spaces

2. Kyle moves forward with 99-acre mixed-use project

3. New homes coming soon to San Marcos' Kissing Tree development

4. Caliterra breaks ground on $40M housing complex in Dripping Springs

5. Construction begins on Kyle’s inclusive skate park

6. Dripping Springs officials break ground on Stephenson Building