As we enter the "dog days" of summer, many Long Islanders are thinking about hitting the beach or getting away for a family vacation. Indeed, summertime is a great time to relax and recharge. It's also the perfect time to become a blood donor.

According to the American Red Cross, summertime blood donations usually drop by between 10 to 15 percent. That means in the event of an emergency or critical need for blood, our hospitals could come up short. Also worth consideration is the fact that nearly every two seconds, somebody, somewhere in the United States needs blood.

Now for the good news. By taking just 60 minutes of your busy schedule, you can help ensure a consistent blood supply by donating blood. Its been estimated that every pint of donated blood can save up to three lives. Imagine that: saving three lives in exchange for 60 minutes of your time this summer. As if that fact alone weren't enough to convince you, how does a free pair of Mets tickets sound?

Interested? Keep reading.

I, along with the New York Blood Center and Long Island Blood Services, am sponsoring a community blood drive on Tuesday, Aug. 21, from 2 to 7:30 p.m. at the Farmingdale Village Hall Courtroom, located at 361 Main St. in Farmingdale. Health care professionals will be on hand to oversee all blood donations and refreshments will be available for all donors. And, yes, every donor will receive a free pair of Mets tickets.

Help save a life and get a free pair of Mets tickets in the process by participating in my summertime blood drive. For more details, email me at contej@assembly.state.ny.us, call 1-(631)-271-8025, fax me at 1-(631)-424-5984, or visit my district office located at 1783 New York Avenue, Huntington Station.

Jim Conte
Member of Assembly, 10th District