The First Responders Club is a small yet impactful Springfield Township High School club. Mostly filled with junior firefighters, the club is for anyone who is interested in first responders, wishes to support them, and wants to help the community. The club’s president is senior Jack Sarsfield, and the Vice president is sophomore Kaitlyn Rosa. This year, the club promoted the Holiday Toy Run to students in the high school to allow them to donate gifts to kids in hospitals.
The Reason behind the Toy Run
Plymouth Ambulance hosted this toy drive to raise awareness and give to kids in hospitals during the holiday season. It provides gifts to kids of all ages and aims to lift their spirits. The gifts are free for the children, a wonderful perk for families who may not be able to afford gifts this season due to medical bills and other circumstances.
The donated toys aim to make kids happy, and there is a strong belief that it will succeed. Being in a hospital, especially during the holidays, is rough for anyone. Every child deserves something to brighten their day.
A student in the high school who wishes to stay anonymous shares a personal insight on the effect of toy runs this season: “I was one of those kids in the hospital during the holiday season many years ago. I wasn’t allowed to leave my [hospital] bed during my stay. I remember…I got a few gifts. And… those gifts were donated to the hospital for us children. I felt so happy.. [receiving] something to bring me joy… if my experience means anything, I know those kids [who receive the holiday toy run gifts] are overjoyed.”
About the Toy Run
The toy run has local places aiding in the run, such as Phoenix Physical Therapy, Greater Plymouth Community Center, Ambler Savings Bank, and Moccia’s Train Stop Restaurant. Flourtown Fire Station is part of Station 308 and works with other first responders in the area to run the toy drive. The 308 has done the Holiday Toy Run for fifteen years, and the First Responders Club joined in to support it two years ago.
Springfield Township High School also had a box for the toys outside the main office from November 1st to December 5th. Toys were required to be unwrapped and unopened. After the toy drive, Kaitlyn Rosa, VP of First Responders, stated, “[They] collected 310 toys for children at Bryn Mawr Hospital and Saint Christopher’s Hospital.”
Kaitlyn Rosa set a goal for next year’s Holiday Toy Run: “600 toys.”
