3rd Annual Boots and Badges Blood Drive

The Columbia Police Department and Columbia-Richland Fire Department are partnering with the American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region for the third annual “Boots and Badges” blood drive. The event will be held at the American Red Cross Columbia donation center, 2751 Bull St., 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, May 25; Saturday, May 26; Monday, May 28; and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 29 and Wednesday, May 30. Columbia area residents are invited to show their support for local firefighters and police officers and become a hero this summer by giving blood for patients in need. To help offset the strain placed on the blood supply during the start of summer, the third annual “Boots and Badges” blood drive competition is being held to increase donations during Memorial Day weekend. Firefighters and police officers, their family members and friends, along with community supporters are invited to participate. All donors at the “Boots and Badges” blood drive will receive a free “Boots and Badges” T-shirt, a Red Cross spirit cup, a chance to vote for their favorite “team”—“Boots”-firefighters or “Badges”-police officers. In addition, all presenting donors will be entered for the chance to win lunch for two with the fire department and police department chiefs as well as a chance to win a $1,000 gift card through the Red Cross “Spring Into Giving” promotion.