LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (American Red Cross) - While Independence Day will surely ignite many fireworks extravaganzas, the American Red Cross is counting on volunteer donors to spark the nation's blood supply. The need for blood is constant, especially around the summer holidays, when eligible donors have even less time in their busy schedules to give.

As part of the Red Cross Summer of Stories campaign to increase donations when they historically drop, all presenting donors between July 1 and 15 could win one of five $3,000 American Express gift cards. Donors are also encouraged to visit redcrossblood.org/summer to share their summer blood donation stories and watch videos of patients whose lives were touched by donors.

To learn more and make an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Man of Steel is not the Superman that I grew up with and it's not one we've seen before. This film is the story of a guy who's trying to find his place in the world. It gives a twist on Superman's origin and the planet Krypton that we haven't seen on film. Zachary Snyder (director) and David S. Goyer (writer) have created a unique Superman who reflects on his life and is searching for the way to live in ours. The story of Clark Kent becoming Superman feels as real as the destruction that is depicted when Kryptonians collide. Michael Shannon's Zod and Henry Cavill's Kal 'El are perfects fits for what is created in this film. The filmmakers have done a great job of realizing Superman's power and recreating what you'd expect from the effects of the use of those powers.

My advice is to just sit back and watch the incredible Man of Steel.

BRYANT, Ark. (KTHV) - It looks like the pups of Bryant will have a new place to play. Residents in the area started talking about adding a dog park years ago, but that talking has now turned into action. A few of the community members got together and formed an official committee to plan the new attraction.

One of those members is a 16-year-old who wants a new place to take his dog. Kris Hudson is helping lead the effort.

"I don't think it's right to just sit around and do nothing," he said. "If you're going to start being a good citizen, you need to start young."

Meredith Lusk is spearheading the committee, whose purpose is to design the dog park.

"We need a 6 foot fence, we need double gates and we would like to have a splash pad for our dogs," Lusk said regarding the park's wish list. "We also need a walk-around for the dog park and a picnic area for people to sit down."