VALDOSTA — On Wednesday, Valdosta witnessed the Valdosta Police Department and the Valdosta Fire Department compete in a friendly competition to save lives in the Battle of the Badges Community Blood Drive.

The event, organized by LifeSouth Community Blood Donors, invited the residents of Valdosta to donate blood in support of their favorite local heroes — either Team Fire or Team Police. The drive was not just about competition but also about coming together to make a significant impact on the community.

Donors, receiving either a red or blue shirt to represent their chosen team, filled the donation stations at the city hall annex building. After giving blood, each donor had the option to cast their vote for either the Fire Department or the Police Department.

The police department’s three-year win streak was broken by the fire department last year.

Ultimately, Valdosta’s police department emerged victorious, collecting 60 votes, while Team Fire followed closely with 55. The event, which had 115 donors in one day, was well above last year’s event, which had around 80 total donors.

The real winners of the day are the patients at South Georgia Medical Center, who will benefit from the generous donations made by the community. LifeSouth is the hospital’s main blood supplier.

Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan and Lt. Dereck Willis of the fire department both expressed their gratitude and pride in the community’s participation.

“We do like the friendly rivalry, but more than anything, we love how the community comes out,” Manahan said. “This is a way we can all save lives in our community.”

Willis echoed these sentiments. “We’re all first responders and citizens of this great city and county,” he said. “Having it where you know your support is going to help the local hospital is one of the best ways you can help.”