john hedge thousand oaks shooting survivor
Survivor describes gunman during shooting
02:27 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

Hundreds of people showed up to donate blood on Thursday for the victims of the mass shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California.

More than 200 people waited to participate in a blood drive at La Reina High School. The line extended out of the school parking lot, stretched down the street and wrapped around the block, school officials said.

Hundreds of people wait in line to give blood at La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks, California, on Thursday after a gunman walked into the Borderline Bar and Grill and killed 12 people.

“You know, you hear about all these things happening around the country, but it’s different when it’s close to home,” one woman told Kristine Lazar, a reporter from CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS. “You want to do everything you can.”

The school had previously scheduled the blood drive on campus, but shifted its focus to gathering blood donations specifically for Wednesday night’s shooting.

Twelve people, including a Ventura County Sheriff’s sergeant, were killed when a gunman entered the Borderline Bar and Grill and opened fire. Multiple others were injured, though its unclear how many suffered gunshot wounds.

People brought snacks – pizza, doughnuts, fruit and water – for those in line. Many said they’d waited three or more hours to give blood and give back to their community in a time of need.

People wait in line Thursday to give blood for the victims of Wednesday night's shooting.

Thousand Oaks known as one of nation’s safest cities

Each of them had their own reasons for choosing to donate blood.

“I’m an Uber driver and I drive these kids around,” another woman told KCAL, talking about the college students and young people who go to the bar. “It breaks your heart.”

One group of people described the crowd as “People loving people.”