For the seventh straight holiday season, Richland County residents have the opportunity to “Stuff an Ambulance” to help children in need.
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 15, Richland County EMS challenges the community to donate toys, clothing and other items as part of a holiday tradition to benefit Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
CASA is a national award-winning advocacy program that trains volunteers to help children who have entered the court and welfare systems. By advocating for these children in Richland County Family Court, CASA helps ensure every child a safe, permanent and nurturing home.
To support the effort, drop off new, unwrapped donations through Dec. 6 at EMS headquarters at 1410 Laurens St., Columbia, during normal County business hours, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The headquarters is next to the surface parking lot behind the main County Administration Building. Visitors should look for the fleet of ambulances nearby.
EMS will accept many children’s items, including:
- toys
- blankets
- socks and other clothing
- book bags
- hair products
- children’s eating utensils
- books
- gift cards
“Our annual ‘Stuff an Ambulance’ holiday event, in partnership with CASA, has proven to be one of the most rewarding and uplifting community outreach projects we do each year,” said Richland County EMS Capt. Winta Adams. “Our team likes to say, ‘We enjoy bringing cheer to children each year.’ ”
EMS hopes to receive enough toys and gifts to fill as many ambulances as possible. With help from Santa Claus, the stuffed vehicles will deliver the items to CASA, where “elves” – CASA employees and volunteers – will get them ready to distribute to children in need.
For more information, call 803-576-3409 or 803-576-3423.