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) 7153699.

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

Oak Park

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

Simi Valley

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

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

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

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

Camarillo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moorpark

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sat., June 24: Moorpark community (in the Albertsons parking lot) 475 W. Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark.

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

Thousand Oaks

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