Stop on Thursday Included St. Mary's Catholic School
ROME, Ga., Dec. 6, 2024 – “It couldn't happen without them."
That was Linda Hatcher's response when asked about how important Atrium Health Floyd Emergency Medical Services is to the success of the annual Toys for Tots Drive.
Once again, EMS is already deep into the gift collection process this year, and Hatcher, local campaign coordinator for Toys for Tots, is grateful for Atrium Health Floyd's commitment.
“EMS is indispensable because of the amount of work that it takes, the amount of work that goes into what they do," Hatcher said. “We give out, depending on the year, between 200 and 300 boxes of items. That is just a massive amount of work."
Atrium Health Floyd has been participating in the Toys for Tots drive since the early 1990s, when toys could be dropped off at the entrance of Floyd Medical Center. In 2009 Floyd EMS began to coordinate the collection of toys countywide when the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves closed its armory on Shorter Avenue.
On Thursday, Atrium Health Floyd EMS again made what has become an annual visit to St. Mary's Catholic School to pick up presented donated by students and staff. The school is one of the large toy collection sites and has been a longtime supporter of Toys for Tots.
The Rome Police Department, Rome Fire Department and the Floyd County Sheriff's Office were also present to show their support and keep an eye on the kids carrying presents.
“We really appreciate the cooperation of law enforcement," said Robby Hill, associate director of Atrium Health Floyd EMS. “Their presence shows their servanthood spirit and how much they care about the community they serve."
Andrew Garrison, an EMT at Atrium Health Floyd, has been spearheading the Toys for Tots pickups for each of the past 9 years.
“This is just a great feeling, and I can say I really enjoy it," Garrison. “It is something special."
Garrison and other EMS teammates not only help pick up donations, they also help Hatcher keep track of the master list, so they don't leave any toys behind. Sometimes people ask for donation boxes, she said, so she has to know where all of them are.
EMS also occasionally provided breakfasts for volunteers, she said. “It's Bud (EMS Director Bud Owens) and his crew. They do so much for us."
Toys will be distributed to kids on Dec. 14 at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd strategically combined with Harbin Clinic in 2024 and employs more than 5,200 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at four facilities: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 361-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health, also in Rome. Together, Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provide primary care, specialty care and urgent care throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created from the combination with Advocate Aurora Health. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is its academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association's Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, providing $2.8 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.