You never know when the need will arise. Just ask any resident of the Paris and surrounding communities. That fact was much apparent with last week’s devastating micro-burst storm that hit Paris in the middle of the night, leaving thousands without electricity for hours and even days. But also with the case of last week’s storm, Western Arkansas residents take pride in their home towns and they are always there when their neighbors need the help. At the top of the list are our first responders: fire, police, and paramedics. They are always there when we need them, and we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
Now, in the name of friendly competition, first responders have the opportunity to donate blood for a good cause. And each of us also have that same opportunity. If you are not a first responder, you can designate your contribution in the name of either fire, police, or emergency medical personnel. It is simply a friendly competition for “bragging rights’, but also a way to help build up the blood supply so it is there when tragedy hits, just as it did last week in Paris.
The “Boots & Badges” blood drive, sponsored by the Arkansas Blood Institute, will be held in Paris on Thursday, August 4. The drive will be held in the Fellowship Hall at the Paris First United Methodist Church. Patrons can donate that day from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Donors will receive the satisfaction of making an important blood donation and contribution to the blood bank, and, as a bonus, a “Boots & Badges” t-shirt, along with one free ticket to Magic Springs & Water Park in Hot Springs.
To schedule a donation appointment, just go to arkbi.org, or, you may call the Arkansas Blood Institute at 877-340-8777.
And one more time, thanks to our first responders for their service to all of us in Logan County. You are truly our heroes!
