Student Medical Assisting Association donates baby items to local nonprofit

Aiken Technical College’s Student Medical Assisting Association collected and donated baby-related items to local nonprofit, Prepare for Babies.

The student organization held a campus-wide collection drive and was able to donate more than a thousand diapers, 3,400 wipes, 120 containers of baby food, as well as baby clothing, bouncers, walkers, and pack ‘n plays, said SMAA Advisor Crystal Driesen.

“The ATC community far exceeded the requests and the expectation,” said Driesen.

Prepare for Babies is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that assists women in the Central Savannah River Area facing crisis pregnancy situations, said Addisyn Clements, the marketing assistant for Prepare for Babies.

“Donations like this are incredibly important to the organization because they directly support women in sustaining their pregnancy and child, and aid them in building a strong foundation for their family. They provide moms with reassurance and tangible support, empowering them to be the mothers that God has called them to be,” said Clements.

SMAA members regularly participate in various community service projects, which allow students to meet community needs while building skillsets that they can place on their resume.

“Community service allows students to step outside their comfort zones and engage with different communities they may otherwise not cross paths with. This exposure helps them develop empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Many employers value community service as it reflects a candidate’s commitment, work ethic, and desire to contribute to the community, which are essential traits in healthcare,” said Driesen.

For more information about Aiken Tech’s Student Medical Assisting Association, contact Crystal Driesen at driesenc@atc.edu. For more information about Prepare for Babies, visit www.prepareforbabies.org.