Battle of the Badges!

Give the gift of life with the American Red Cross and at the same time, honor the men and women who keep our community healthy and safe! Members of the Asheville community are asked to roll up their sleeves February 29, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in downtown Asheville for the 2^nd annual “Battle of the Badges” campaign. Those who come out to donate can cast their vote for their favorite local first responder agency. The Red Cross will honor the department earning the most votes.


Last year, Asheville’s “Battle of the Badges” drive collected 124 pints of lifesaving blood, and the Red Cross honored the North Carolina Highway Patrol for receiving the most votes. This year, the drive is aiming to collect even more units. Participating agencies:

North Carolina Highway Patrol

Buncombe County Sheriff's Office

Asheville Fire Department

Asheville Police Department

Buncombe County EMS

“The Battle of the Badges campaign is a wonderful opportunity to partner with our first responders and collect those lifesaving units of blood we so desperately need during the winter months,” said Joyce Brendel, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “We are so excited to honor the heroes who put their lives on the line for us every day, and we are also looking forward to the fun competition!”

People who come out to donate will receive an American Red Cross “Lifesaver” t-shirt and will be eligible to win a pair of roundtrip Delta Air Lines tickets. They will also be entered to win one of three, three-day oceanfront vacation rentals at The Islander Inn and Suites on Emerald Isle, North Carolina, courtesy of Bluewater Real Estate and Vacation Rentals.