Jacqueline Tillman processes the blood of recent donors during United Blood Services’ special Mardi Gras blood drive held outside the Grand Theater in New Iberia Thursday.

In an effort to have enough blood for the upcoming Mardi Gras events, United Blood Services held a special donation drive outside The Grand 10 – New Iberia, offering free movie tickets and Mardi Gras-themed T-shirts to donors on Thursday.

Mardi Gras activities are anticipated to bring accidents that may require a large amount of blood from the blood supply, according to United Blood Services.

Roxxy Randal, assistant donor care supervisor, said special events for holiday donations typically bring in more people “because they want to make sure we have the blood supply we need because they know all the time, for holidays, accidents happen.”

While 50 donors at every blood drive would be ideal for Randal, officials encourage walk-ups and anyone who is able to donate.

“They take time out of their busy schedule to come donate blood and on their own time,” she said. “We try to give them an incentive, something special, for coming out and donating. Being that it’s Mardi Gras time, the movie theater did the movie tickets and we have the Mardi Gras T-shirts as well.”

One of the first donors to arrive, Beth LaBiche, has been donating blood for more than 11 years and said she donates to give back to the community.

“I’ve never had to use blood in my family, but you just never know,” LaBiche said. “You take that old blood out and get new blood in.”

LaBiche said she’s going to use her free movie ticket to see “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”.

Kerri Kaye Mouton, who has been donating for more than eight years, said she donates to do what she can for the community.

“I don’t mind doing it,” Mouton said.

Mouton said she began giving blood when a cousin had leukemia.

“Once I did that, I thought, ‘OK; I can do this,’ ” she said.

Randal was assisted by two other employees, Tassnique Prudhome and Jacqueline Tillman, who were screening donors as they entered the van.

A blood drive also was held Thursday at Mac’s Sugar City Market in Jeanerette, and another outside the Wal-Mart in New Iberia on Friday.