Scurry County first responders are giving you two chances to support them and donate the gift of life.
The annual Back the Badges Blood Drive is being split into two parts. The first drive will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Scurry County EMS training office in the Towle Park armory, while the second drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Aug. 7 at the law enforcement center’s training room.
The drives will pit the Snyder Police Department, Scurry County Sheriff’s Office, Snyder Fire Department and Scurry County EMS against each other in a friendly competition to see which agency can secure the most blood donations.
No prizes or awards are up for grabs, and the competition is secondary to the main goal of the blood drive, which is to build up reserves in the blood bank.
That’s not to say there won’t be a bit of agency pride on the line, though.
“It’s still a friendly competition,” said Snyder Police Department Officer Bailey Latham, one of the drive organizers. “Last year, the police department won, but we’re not going to boast too much about that. The main goal is to get as many community members and first responders together as possible to help our blood bank, which is too low at the moment.”
Snyder Deputy Fire Marshal Nathan Hines agreed the competition goes hand-in-hand with helping the blood bank.
“We’re trying to get all the firefighters to turn out for this,” Hines said. “But it’s not just about the firefighters or other first responders. We want the community to be involved, also.”
Scurry County EMS Paramedic Russell Thomas is de-emphasizing the competition aspect even further.
“I’m not considering it a competition,” Thomas said. “I’m considering it an ‘If you can’t do ours, do their’s’ blood drive. We just want to make sure as many people as possible have a chance to donate.”
Latham said there are 60 appointment slots available for the law enforcement center event.
“Last year, we had 36 blood donors,” Latham said. “This year, our goal is to have at least 38.”
Latham said that interested donors may visit www.bloodhero.com and search for the link. They also email Latham at blatham@ci.snyder.tx.us to make an appointment.
She said that organizers also will distribute flyers around town in the next few days and are sending email reminders to previous donors.
Person interested in donating Aug. 3 are asked to contact Thomas at (325) 636-3819.
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