VALDOSTA — Police and firefighters will compete next month to see which can donate the most blood.

The Valdosta fire and police departments will host the Annual Battle of the Badges Guns vs. Hoses Blood Drive, 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, in the Mathis City Auditorium multipurpose room, 2300 N. Ashley St. 

The friendly interdepartmental competition, which is open to the public, will help the American Red Cross, an organization tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world.

“Saving lives is what we do,” Valdosta Fire Chief Brian Boutwell said in a statement. “This competitive blood drive allows us to have a little fun while contributing to a vital need in our community.”

City employees, retirees and their family members and friends, as well as members of the general public, are invited to give the gift of life at the event. 

Blood donors will be asked when they arrive which team they support for the competition.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about which team wins,” Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said in a statement. “It’s really about ‘Team Valdosta’ pitching in to help our own in times when people need us the most.”

Both chiefs expressed their desires for a large public turnout. 

The team who attracts the most donors will earn bragging rights and the coveted trophy. At the end of the competition, the American Red Cross and the recipients of the donations will be the true winners.

Registration is encouraged but not required. To make an appointment, residents can visit redcrossblood.org and enter keyword: cityval. 

For more information, call the Valdosta Fire Department at (229) 333-1836 or the Valdosta Police Department at (229) 293-3102.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256