By EMS1 Staff
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — Santa Claus and EMS providers helped spread holiday cheer by visiting sick children and handing out gifts this week.
Dorchester County EMS and Santa paid a visit to the homes of 10 children as part of the agency’s annual toy handout, reported the Journal Scene.
“It’s a chance to reconnect with some of the really sick kids,” Doug Warren, the agency’s EMS director, said. It’s important for kids to build relationships with all the public safety [people] … so if they ever feel [threatened], they can come to us.”
The tradition began in 2011 and has continued every year since; toys are purchased through community donations and children receive at least one gift.
Santa and the crew stopped by the home of 8-year-old Aarilynne McConnell, who suffers from a form of epilepsy that has forced her to frequently need EMS.
The agency selected 10 out of 600 children who required EMS this year, based off of which cases were the most critical.
“I physically read every report and choose the really sick ones,” Lt. Megan White said.