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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Police Department and Jamestown Fire Department have teamed up in a competition to help raise blood donations in the area.

“The Battle of the Badges” pits both department’s against each other as they compete for a donor’s vote. Jamestown Police Chief Scott Edinger says Fire Chief Jim Reuther approached him about holding the competition.

Last year, the event had roughly 220 donors and so far have over 100 pre-registered donors for this year. Chief Reuther pointed out that the recent weather has prohibited planned blood drives, making the need for blood donations even greater.

Donors will have the chance to donate blood Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Jamestown Civic Center. Donors will receive a free t-shirt for their donation and will have a chance to win a new snowblower. Following that, they will donate their vote to either the Jamestown Police Department or Jamestown Fire Department.

The Jamestown Fire Department won the first year’s Battle of the Badges, but Chief Edinger said his group is feeling pretty confident. Visit bloodhero.com to pre-register using the sponsor code: Jamestown.

The blood drive will be Thursday from 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM.