Saving lives and helping others is a top priority for Duluth, Superior Police and Fire as well as St. Louis and Douglas County Sheriff’s Departments.

On Dec. 3 and 4, these forces will use their lifesaving priority to raise awareness about the importance of blood donations and help bolster the blood supply. Their Battle of the Badges blood drive will be held at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Superior on Dec. 3 and First United Methodist Church in Duluth on Dec. 4.

“Donating blood is an incredible gift donors can give their community during the holiday season. People are in need and blood saves lives. I cannot think of a better gift,” said Robert E. Morehouse, Deputy Chief, City of Duluth Fire Department.

The Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition to encourage community members to join their local first responders and perform their own heroic act with a blood donation. All who come to donate will have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite first responder department to determine who will have bragging rights for the upcoming year.

“Fall is a critical time for blood donations, and this is a fun, meaningful way to give back and support local heroes,” said Dan Williams, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Northern and Central Minnesota. “Blood donations are used in multiple ways, from a trauma patient to a person with a bleeding disorder, to a cancer patient and more.”

The Red Cross frequently collaborates with these partners in humanitarian work in our local communities, from emergency planning to home fire or other disaster responses. “We rely on these community partners so being able to shine a light on them means a lot to us,” added Williams.

Those who come to give blood Nov. 17-Dec. 7, 2025, will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross x PAC-MAN socks, while supplies last. PLUS, donors who give during that same time frame will also get a custom Red Cross x PAC-MAN GASHAPON®. Quantities of this one-of-a-kind collectible capsule toy from PAC-MAN are limited.

Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and using sponsor code ‘DS’.