LAMAR FIRST RESPONDERS UNITE FOR BOOTS, BADGES & BANDAGES BLOOD DRIVE ON JUNE 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LAMAR, Mo. – May 22, 2026 – First responders from Lamar are uniting with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, plasma, and platelets to patients at more than 40 hospitals, for a Boots, Badges and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive.

The blood drive will take place on Monday, June 1 at First Christian Church in the fellowship hall, 1208 Walnut Street, Lamar. Drive hours are from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

The Boots, Badges and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive is a fun event which provides an opportunity for the community to come together and support local patients, while at the same time honoring area first responders for the magnificent work they do every day. It is also a friendly competition between the fire, police and EMS departments with a traveling trophy awarded to the department with the strongest showing.

“Summer can be a tough season for blood collections, making community support more important than ever,” said Belinda Belk, CBCO Blood Drive Consultant. “We are grateful to the Lamar Fire, Police, and first responders for stepping up once again to host the Boots, Badges, and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive. Donating blood is a powerful way to support your community. Your blood donation could save the life of a family member, friend, colleague, or neighbor. Please consider helping us make a difference in the Lamar community."

All donors will receive a Give & Go Fun Pass worth over $245 in free admissions and activities to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Fritz’s Adventure, Andy B’s and SuperSplash USA. Donors will also receive a special Boots, Badges and Bandages T-shirt, while supplies last.

Photo identification required. Please eat well and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating. Donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and may not have given blood in the past 56 days.

To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment by calling 417-227-5006 or by visiting https://www.cbco.org/bootsandbadges/.

On behalf of local hospital patients, CBCO thanks blood donors from across the region for giving life to your community.