The Badger Chapter of the American Red Cross is asking for help to offset what it's calling a significant decrease in blood donations.

The clinic on Madison's West Side, for instance, prefers to have a three- to five-day supply of blood on hand.

But in the summer months, the stock can dip to just a one-day supply.

The Badger Chapter is kicking off its annual awareness campaign called "Beach Days."

"We've had a lot of success with 'Beach Days,'" said Janna Lenz, marketing director of the American Red Cross. "And it's really good to see people come in and understand that the need is there and they're willing to support patients in need. So it's good."

The 11th annual Beach Days event kicks off at the Sheraton Hotel at 706 John Nolen Dr. on Tuesday, July 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event continues July 6 through July 9 at the Madison East and Madison West Blood Donation Centers.

From Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 10, the Dane County Humane Society will celebrating "All-American Dog Week" with a special Pit Bull Terrier adoption offer. 

Adopters of a Pit Bull Terrier or a Pit Bull Terrier mix can receive a full adoption rebate upon completion of DCHS’s Positively Pitties six-week training session. 

Positively Pitties is a unique and extremely educational Pit Bull Terrier Education Program. 

The program strives to make adopters and their canine companion glowing ambassadors of the breed. 

For more information on our Positively Pitties program, go to http://www.giveshelter.org/positively-pitties-training.html.

After this winter’s successful clothes drive, Madison Parks is once again partnering with Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin on a Children’s Summer Clothes drive July 1-10. 

CAC’s Clothing Center serves more than 9,000 low-income individuals and families each year. CAC provides seasonally appropriate clothing for school, work, home, as well as job interviews. Many of their families are living pay-check to pay-check and the Clothing Center allows them to stretch their budgets just a little further.

All of the clothing is provided through generous donations from the community. These items are distributed at no charge through CAC’s Clothing Center which is located at 1717 N. Stoughton Rd. in Madison.

Madison Parks Facilities where children’s summer clothes may be dropped off.