Behind the Badge
To encourage blood donations to those in need while fostering a little competitive fun, Westminster PD is participating in the American Red Cross’s Battle of the Badges.
The campaign encourages Southern California law enforcement and public safety agencies to compete against each other to see which agency donates the most blood.
Commander Mark Lauderback said WPD has been reaching out to the community through fliers and social media to encourage blood donations. The Red Cross also reaches out to its donor lists and encourages sign-ups in the area.
The WPD donor drive takes place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 in Community Center Rooms A and B at the Civic Center (8200 Westminster Boulevard in Westminster).
According to the American Red Cross website, blood donors must be in good health and feel well, be at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, and have not donated blood in the past 56 days.
Although the blood drive is set in some fun competition to encourage participation, Lauderback said it’s also a part of a larger community outreach effort.
“It’s not just our jobs to go out there and help people in crimes or when they’re victims in accidents,” he said. “There’s another way to give back to the community to help those in need that don’t really reach out — but at least we can reach out to give something back.”
To schedule an appointment at the WPD’s blood drive, go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: WESTMINSTERPD, or contact Commander Mark Lauderback at MLauderback@westminster-ca.gov.
