In the true spirit of giving, Richland County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) continued a heartwarming holiday tradition on December 6th. For the seventh consecutive year, the EMS team rallied the community to participate in their “Stuff an Ambulance” campaign, delivering an abundance of toys, clothing, and other essentials to benefit Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
The annual event, marked by its festive flair, saw Santa Claus leading a convoy of four ambulances from the EMS Headquarters downtown to the CASA offices. The goal was to fill these ambulances with donated items, creating a convoy of compassion that would bring joy to children in need.
Richland County CASA is a national award-winning advocacy program that trains volunteers to support children navigating the complexities of the court and welfare systems. The “Stuff an Ambulance” initiative, born out of the EMS’s commitment to community service, has become a beacon of hope for these children during the holiday season.
Dante Roberts, CASA’s executive director, expressed gratitude for the community’s support, stating, “Richland County EMS donations benefit RC CASA and the community in ways that are not spoken about when they adopt our agency and support the future. Children who, at times, are in survival mode get little pieces of joy, and that’s because of community partners like EMS.”
This year’s donation drive was a resounding success, with residents generously contributing between 1,200 and 1,300 items. The donations included not only toys and clothing but also a diverse array of items such as books, blankets, backpacks, bicycles, musical instruments, and athletic equipment.
As the donated items were unloaded by Santa and his team of “elves” – CASA employees and volunteers – the sense of community and holiday spirit was palpable. The items will be distributed to children in need just in time for the holidays, ensuring that the season is a little brighter for those facing challenging circumstances.
“Stuff an Ambulance” exemplifies the power of collective kindness and the impact a community can have when coming together to support those in need. For more information on this heartwarming initiative, interested individuals can call 803-576-3409.
Photo Santa Claus and elves – employees with Richland County EMS and Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates – helped unload several ambulances full of toys and other items for children Wednesday as part of EMS’ Stuff an Ambulance donation drive.
