Stuff the Truck Toy Drive Benefits Children at Local Hospitals

Over the course of seven hours, an Aiken Rescue ambulance was transformed into a mobile toy box as it filled with children’s toys and stuffed animals during the “Stuff the Truck” toy drive on November 26.

The event, organized by the Aiken Technical College Student EMS Association, benefited children at Children’s Hospital of Georgia and Doctors Hospital.

“I’m really pleased with the turnout,” said Samantha Estrada, president of the Student EMS Association. “We didn’t expect to have so many toys in the truck, so it’s pretty awesome to see that.”

The organization is among the newest student clubs to be formed at Aiken Tech. Its goals include raising awareness about EMS careers and community service initiatives.

“It takes a lot of training to do what we do and the program that has been set up here really shows the growth that EMS is going to have in the future,” said Estrada of the Emergency Medical Technology program, which consists of EMT Basic, EMT Advanced and Paramedic levels. “We also want to stress the importance of doing community projects and getting involved.”

Members of the Iron Medics EMS motorcycle club assisted with delivering donations by escorting the Aiken Rescue ambulance from Aiken Tech to both Children’s Hospital of Georgia and Doctors Hospital.

Aiken Tech’s EMS program director Jonathan Jones and instructor Robert Mosher serve as the president and vice president, respectively, for the nonprofit, charitable motorcycle club. Through their organization, they aim to raise awareness of PTSD and suicide prevention for first responders as well as train peer support team members.

Other Aiken Tech student organizations also supported the cause by contributing items and helping with th event.

Cierra Smith, president of the Student Medical Assisting Association, was among those who participated.

“There are different organizations at Aiken Tech, but we come together as one and support one another,” she said. “It’s a great experience to be a part of and we’re all excited to do things like this.”

For more information about student organizations at Aiken Tech, visit https://www.atc.edu/Experience/Student-Organizations.