Battle of the Badges gets rolling Wednesday.
The friendly competition between local law enforcement and fire and rescue crews features both sides taking several steps to curry favor and win the popular vote, including hot dogs, stickers for kids and other enticements. Emporia Fire leads the overall competition 7-6, although Emporia Police and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office have won the last two drives.
The main purpose of the drive is to draw attention to the ongoing and urgent need for blood. The American Red Cross has been in a blood emergency since Memorial Day, several weeks ahead of the normal schedule, and all blood types are needed.
In years past, Battle of the Badges has been a two-day drive, but the drive is expanding to three days for the first time this year. Activities are at Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church from 12-6 pm Wednesday, 8 am to 2 pm Thursday and 10 am to 4 pm Friday. For more information or to set up an appointment, go online to www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS.
