Blood Drives Set for Holiday Weekend

The Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross is hitting the beach and a home-improvement warehouse to seek blood donations over the holiday weekend.

“Summertime is pretty difficult because our high schools and colleges are closed, so our donor base goes down a little,” said Pat Conlee, assistant director of donor resource development for the Red Cross.

“When we have a bunch of folks that are out on vacation, we have a harder time convincing people to hold blood drives, but the needs are still there,” she said.

The community blood drives will be on Friday at:

* The Home Depot, 6912 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. There will be a petting zoo and face painting for children.

* Newport Beach Pier, Newport Beach, from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

* Orange County chapter, American Red Cross, 600 N. Park Center Drive, Santa Ana, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

* Fullerton Donation Collection Center, 1715 N. Euclid St., from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

For more information, call (800) GIVE LIFE.