FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Fort Wayne Fire and Police Departments are making the news, but not for battling blazes or criminals… for battling each other! It's the 19th annual Battle of the Badges, a friendly competition to see which department can collect the most units for the Red Cross. Police Public Information Officer Mike Joyner joined Fort Wayne's morning news to talk about the competition, which helps boost low supplies around the holiday season. And the fact that it is the holiday season also carries some other significance.

Joyner said, “It's Christmas time. It's the time of gift-giving, and what better present to give somebody than the gift of life?”

Anyone who donates blood or platelets at the Red Cross Headquarters (1212 East California Road) or Lutheran Hospital (7900 W. Jefferson Blvd, Suit 107) can cast a vote for a public safety department.