Smiley Elementary School had a “trunk-or-treat” day last Friday and allowed business representatives and individuals to park their cars in the school’s lot and hand out Halloween candy to the students.
Many emergency first responders visited the school and doled out safety information along with treats.
Long County EMS paramedic David McAuley and his partner Dick Keyfauver took time out of their day to spend a few minutes with the children.
“Coming out for this is a good outreach to the community, and it lets the kids get to see us up close,” McAuley said.
Ludowici Police Department Officer Diane Titchenell also wanted to make sure students know officers are helpful authority figures.
“Its important for the kids to not be scared of us. A lot of parents tell their kids if they don’t behave that the police will come and take them to jail. That’s not good.
“When they see us here, giving out candy and smiling and being nice, they know that we are not someone to be scared of,” Titchenell said.
According to Smiley Elementary Principal David Edwards, 65 volunteers came to help with this year’s trunk-or-treat. Edwards said he was grateful to the emergency workers who took time out of their schedules to attend.
“It’s great to have all the other emergency personnel who are here. The kids love to see the trucks and cars up close, and many of them are always saying they want to grow up and be a firefighter or police officer. They think that’s cool,” Edwards said.
Long County Board of Education members Linda DeLoach and Billy Hall also passed out candy and spoke highly of the first responders.
“It’s good for the kids to see these first responders. It helps them become more familiar with the workers so when an emergency happens, they’re not scared of them,” Hall said.
DeLoach added, “We are so thankful for all of these emergency workers for coming out here. We support them and it’s good to know that they support the kids.”
The Liberty/Long County MACE Unit, the Ludowici/Long County Fire Department, the Georgia Forestry Commission-Long County unit and the Long County Sheriff’s Department also made appearances at trunk-or-treat day.
Many emergency first responders visited the school and doled out safety information along with treats.
Long County EMS paramedic David McAuley and his partner Dick Keyfauver took time out of their day to spend a few minutes with the children.
“Coming out for this is a good outreach to the community, and it lets the kids get to see us up close,” McAuley said.
Ludowici Police Department Officer Diane Titchenell also wanted to make sure students know officers are helpful authority figures.
“Its important for the kids to not be scared of us. A lot of parents tell their kids if they don’t behave that the police will come and take them to jail. That’s not good.
“When they see us here, giving out candy and smiling and being nice, they know that we are not someone to be scared of,” Titchenell said.
According to Smiley Elementary Principal David Edwards, 65 volunteers came to help with this year’s trunk-or-treat. Edwards said he was grateful to the emergency workers who took time out of their schedules to attend.
“It’s great to have all the other emergency personnel who are here. The kids love to see the trucks and cars up close, and many of them are always saying they want to grow up and be a firefighter or police officer. They think that’s cool,” Edwards said.
Long County Board of Education members Linda DeLoach and Billy Hall also passed out candy and spoke highly of the first responders.
“It’s good for the kids to see these first responders. It helps them become more familiar with the workers so when an emergency happens, they’re not scared of them,” Hall said.
DeLoach added, “We are so thankful for all of these emergency workers for coming out here. We support them and it’s good to know that they support the kids.”
The Liberty/Long County MACE Unit, the Ludowici/Long County Fire Department, the Georgia Forestry Commission-Long County unit and the Long County Sheriff’s Department also made appearances at trunk-or-treat day.