The second annual Boots and Badges blood drive was last month at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library where the Durant police and fire departments faced off to collect blood for Our Blood Institute.
Michelle McGuire, senior account manager of Our Blood Institute, said the event was to help with the Christmas blood supply.
“We do these types of events to help boost the blood supply because you know how it is around the holidays,” Mc-
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Guire said. “We have more things happen. We use more blood. We have less people coming out to give blood and so our wonderful police and fire have joined forces for a friendly competition.”
In 2024, the fire department won the traveling trophy, and this time, the police department won it. A total of 39 units of blood were drawn.
“Whoever signs in the most donors will win the traveling trophy,” Mc-Guire said.
Durant Fire Chief Jeff Langford said the competition is a way for the police and fire departments to save lives around Christmas time, so they are happy to do it.
“We like to win,” Langford said. “It’s all in good fun, but the people that need the blood they’ll be the ones that are winning.”
Durant Deputy Police Chief Joe Clark said the event is to help a big cause.
“Right now, the blood supplies are low throughout the state, and this is an opportunity for the community to come out and have a little bit of fun to choose sides with the fire department or the police department. It’s just a time to come out, have a little fun and help a big cause.”
Clark said police spread the word for people to donate blood on the side of the police department.
“It’s a friendly competition,” Clark said. “At the end of the day, the blood bank, they’re going to get a lot of donations to help a lot of people. That’s what it’s all about. The recipients of the donations, they’re the real winners.”
