Annual Pickup Held at Local Schools

ROME, Ga., Dec. 2, 2022 – Atrium Health Floyd Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has been participating in the Toys for Tots drive one way or another since the 1990s, when toys could be dropped off at the entrance of Floyd Medical Center. In 2009 EMS joined with the United State Marine Corps League to collect toys in multiple locations in Floyd County and Polk County.

On Thursday, Santa and EMS again made stops at local schools during the annual Toys for Tots drive, visiting St. Mary’s Catholic School, West End Elementary School, East Central Elementary School and Armuchee High School to pick up gifts.

Despite brisk temperature at 8:30 a.m., tots from St. Mary’s eagerly marched out to donate their presents to Santa and his helpful elves represented by EMS and local law enforcement agencies, including the Rome Police Department, Rome Fire Department and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office. The gifts were loaded onto an EMS vehicle to be taken to Toys for Tots.

I love this day,” said Andrew Garrison, an EMT who spearheads the Toys for Tots pickups for Atrium Health Floyd EMS. “I just love seeing the kids. And our leadership really does a lot to support this. They are great about donating trucks and equipment for whatever we need.”