Community blood drives scheduled

Maintaining an ample and steady supply of blood is difficult in summer. Summer holidays such as the Fourth of July put an added stress on the local blood supply due to increased usage. Many donors take vacations at this critical time, thereby compounding the challenge.

To help United Blood Services/Central Coast's blood center ensure a steady supply, 1,300 blood donations are needed in the Ventura County area before July 8.

To thank holiday blood donors, the Habit Burger Grill has teamed up with the blood center to give away coupons for a free burger combination meal to every one who donates blood through July 8.

Donors are asked to make an appointment by calling a blood center or by signing up on line at www.bloodhero.com where they will find information about a nearby blood drive.

For information or questions, donors may also call the Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Camarillo Blood Centers at (800) 715-3699.

Following is a schedule of upcoming blood drives throughout Ventura County.

Oak Park

Sun., June 25 from 7:30 a.m. to noon: Church of the Epiphany, 5450 Churchwood Drive, Oak Park.

Simi Valley

Thurs., June 22 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.: PSI Bearings, 2175 Union Place, Simi Valley.

Sun., June 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: One Spirit Center, 1756 Erringer Road, Simi Valley.

Mon., June 26 from 2 to 7 p.m.: Simi Valley Von's, 1855 Cochran St., Simi Valley.

Sat., July 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Simi Valley Von's, 1855 Cochran St., Simi Valley.

Camarillo

Thurs., June 22 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., : Semtech, 200 Flynn Road, Camarillo.

Fri., June 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., : GE Fanuc, 1340 Flynn Road, Camarillo.

Fri., June 23 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Wilwood Engineering, 4700 Calle Bolero, Camarillo.

Tues., June 27 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Parker Hannifin, 3800 Calle Tecate, Camarillo.

Wed., June 28 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. : Royce Medical Product, 742 Pancho Road, Camarillo.

Sat., July 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. : Las Posas Merchants City National Bank, Camarillo.

Sun., July 2 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Padre Serra Catholic Church, 5205 Upland Road, Camarillo. Moorpark

Sat., June 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: In the Albertsons parking lot, 475 W. Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark.

Wed., June 28 and Thurs., June 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Kavlico, 1450 Princeton Ave., Moorpark.

Thousand Oaks

Wed, June 28 from 3 to 8 p.m.: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks.