Greenwich Battle of the Badges and Toys for Tots

The Greenwich Police Department is the location for the annual ‘Battle of the Badges’ blood drive on Saturday.

From 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Saturday, blood donors can roll up their sleeves to give a pint.

This is the 7th annual Battle of the Badges that has personnel and supporters of the Greenwich Police, Greenwich Fire and Greenwich Emergency Medical Service donating blood at the Greenwich Police headquarters on Bruce Place.

Police Chief James Heavey said that the police department has garnered enough donors for the five years to take home the honors in the friendly ‘battle.’ The Greenwich Fire Department won the first competition.

Heavey said the drive usually nets between 60 to 70 pints of blood that’s critically needed during the holiday season when donations typically drop off.

In conjunction with the blood drive, the Greenwich Police Silver Shield Association also is holding a Toys for Tots drive with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Unwrapped toys may be dropped off in the lobby of headquarters. If you can’t stop by with a toy on Saturday, the drive will continue from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 12 at the Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Department on East Putnam Avenue.

An appointment to drop off toys or to donate blood isn’t needed. Just drop in.