MERRILLVILLE | About nine out of 10 summer travelers in the U.S. use a personal vehicle to get to their final destination. Soaring gas prices and increased travel for vacations and sightseeing during the summer make the American Red Cross' drawing for a $200 gasoline gift card during the week of Independence Day a perfect incentive prize.

Blood donors can enter into a drawing to win one of five, $200 gasoline gift cards by visiting any American Red Cross blood drive or donor center Tuesday through July 6.

Summer blood donations in the Indiana-Ohio region can drop as much as six percent from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is the community's responsibility to make sure all recipients have the blood components to support the care they need during the summer.

Visit one of the following blood drives and become eligible for the gasoline gift card drawing:

* 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lincoln Community Center in classrooms 16 and 18 at 2450 Lincoln St. in Highland.

* 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Union/Library, Room 321 at Purdue University Calumet, 2200 169th St. in Hammond. Visit www.calumet.purdue.edu/wellness or call (219) 989-2309 to schedule an appointment.

* 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Fellowship Hall at St. Matthias Church, 101 Burrell Drive in Crown Point.

* 8 a.m. to noon July 5 at the American Red Cross Donation Center, 791 E. 83rd Ave. in Merrillville. All presenting donors will receive a Culver's Frozen Custard coupon good for one pint of frozen custard.

Those who are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in good general health may be eligible to donate blood. All donors need to present a positive identification.

For more information or to schedule a blood donation appointment, call (800) 448-3543.

- For The Times