By Virginia Annable
News-Topic
CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Saturday kicked off the first of what A.J. Musto hopes will be an annual tradition for Caldwell County Emergency Medical Services: filling an ambulance with toys for Christmas.
Families, individuals and other emergency responders in the county came to the Chick-fil-A parking lot at Smith Crossroads in Lenoir to donate toys as small as a puzzle to as big as a bicycle.
As more toys were piled in for the Stuff the Ambulance Christmas Toy Drive, Musto, an EMS sergeant, became certain this was something the department will do again. By 11 a.m., two hours into collecting toys, the ambulance was already a quarter full.
“We’re extremely happy with the turnout already,” he said. “And we still have the rest of the day.”
The toys will go to children under the care of the Caldwell County Department of Social Services.
“I feel like we’re always there in a time of need,” Musto said, “so I figured we’d show that we’re here other times too.”
When a family of 14 showed up, Santa was there to talk to the children, ask their Christmas wishes and give them candy canes and plastic firefighter hats. David and Kristi Alward said their 12 children pooled their money to buy some gifts for children in need.
“We know how good God has been to us,” Kristi Alward said, “so when we heard about this we decided to come out.”
She said the family rarely does charity events like Saturday’s, but when they saw a post about it on Facebook they decided to participate.
Another family donated $400 worth of toys, Musto said.
Division Chief Ed Anderson said no matter what people gave, the event was a nice reminder of the kindness of Caldwell County.
“The public is so good to us and to everyone,” he said. “We’re glad to try to give back.”
Copyright 2017 News-Topic
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