We are into the final day of the annual Battle of the Badges blood drive.
Hours for Friday will be 8 am to 2 pm at Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church.
Wednesday saw the blood drive get off to a strong start with 70 usable pints of blood collected, hitting the day’s goal.
Thursday’s total was 64 pints of usable blood, short of goal by eight pints. The goal is 54 units Friday, and the Red Cross is urging people to either set appointments or walk in because less than half the 78 appointment slots are currently full. People wishing to schedule an appointment can do so either online at RedCrossBlood.org, through the Red Cross blood donor app using the code Emporia or by calling 800 Red-Cross.
Residents can also vote for their favorite first-responder agency – Emporia Police, Emporia Fire, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Lyon County Emergency Communications – with the highest vote getter taking home the traveling trophy.
Red Cross spokesperson Susan Faler says the winner of Thursday’s prize basket, including a microfiber beach towel, waterproof bag, solar lantern, holiday socks, umbrella, flashlight, fabric bag and $25 gift card is from New York and is visiting family in Emporia.
