The 8th annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive kicked off Tuesday morning at the American Red Cross Donor Center in Hays.
Participants can donate blood through December 30 and credit it to either the Ellis County Law Enforcement Team or the Ellis County Emergency Medical Services Team.
The L-E-C Team won the trophy last year with more donors than E-M-S, but E-M-S has the most wins overall.
With a grin on his face as he donated the drive’s first pint, E-M-S Director Kerry McCue told Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler it’s because “We help people. We don’t give tickets.”
The winner will be announced in January.