By Jason Johnston
Emporia Gazette – July 31, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – August 22, 2013
The 2013 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive was a friendly competition between the Emporia Police and Fire Departments that took place from Monday to Tuesday at the 12th Avenue Baptist Church.
“We are happy to support that the community wants to come out and donate blood to help save lives, the same thing the police and fire do everyday, too,” said acting Officer Ryan Schmidt, who has been with the fire department for 10 years.
The Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is where people come in and donate blood for the American Red Cross and get to vote for their favorite department, said Emporia police officer Dominick Vortherms. The Police Department defeated the Fire Department 134-121.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Vortherms, who has been with the Police Department for about 3 ½ years. “It’s been a while since we won.
This win was the first since 2010 for the police department and the third win since the trophy was initially handed out in 2005.
Both departments greeted everyone who came to the drive, and the police department also grilled hot dogs.
Vortherms said he thinks it was fun for the departments to come and help out.
“Why I like to do it is because I get to meet everybody: the workers to people I don’t get to deal with on the street,” he said. “I think that’s fun.”
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