The Redondo Beach Police Department is trying to recruit 150 blood donors for its annual UCLA Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Wednesday, July 15, and the department says it's nowhere close to that number.

The drive runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway. All eligible donors receive a $10 gift card.

Officer Kyle Lofstrom, the department's community-based officer coordinating the drive, posted a video appeal on the RBPD Facebook page urging residents to sign up. In the post, Lofstrom promised to do whatever the top comment suggested if people registered, writing that the department needs "150 people to sign up and donate blood" and has "not even close to that number" with one week to go.

The post had drawn 6,600 views and 38 reactions as of Wednesday, July 9.

What is Battle of the Badges?

Battle of the Badges is a UCLA-run competition that pits local first responders against each other to see which agency can recruit the most blood donors. The program started in 2007. The winning agency takes home the UCLA Blood Bowl cup.

South Bay public safety agencies, including Redondo Beach, have participated in prior years. The RBPD held a drive at the same library location last July.

Why summer matters

Blood banks face a seasonal crunch during summer months. Schools are out, regular drives slow down, and donor turnout drops while the need for blood stays constant.

How to sign up

Residents can register at ucedonor.com, email [email protected], or text 310-895-0282. Donors are asked to eat a healthy breakfast before arriving.

The drive is open to all eligible donors, not just Redondo Beach residents.