ACCIDENT — StoreEase’s passions and Garrett College’s needs neatly aligned in the form of a pediatric simulation manikin that will benefit the college’s Paramedic Program.
“First responders and children are two areas that are important to us. This gift really hits two of our causes,” said Tina Snook, who, with husband Todd, operates the StoreEase self-storage facility on Mosser Road in McHenry. The Snooks also own Valley Storage, which includes a self-storage site in Hagerstown.
“The pediatric simulation manikin will provide our students with realistic, hands-on experience caring for critically ill and injured children,” said Josh Hook, program director and lead instructor for GC’s Paramedic Program. “This valuable training resource will strengthen their confidence, skills and readiness to provide high-quality pediatric care in the field.”
Aaron Snook, Valley Storage’s vice president, said the manikin met one of the company’s overarching giving strategies.
“When we donate, we prefer to give items that we know will be used,” said Aaron Snook, who said recent donations of beds to a hospice and dogs to a police department fit that same category.
Hook said the pediatric manikin met a particular program need.
“Thankfully, our students don’t see many pediatric cases in the field – but they still need that experience,” said Hook. “This manikin addresses that requirement.”
Valley Storage is in its 40th year of operation. Todd Snook said the company is expanding its philanthropic efforts to all of the regions it serves.
“We’re trying to focus on causes that are important to us,” said Todd Snook.
“We are incredibly grateful for Valley Storage’s generous support of Garrett College’s Paramedic Program,” said Garrett College Foundation representative Janet Kepple. “This is an investment not only in our students, but in the quality of emergency medical care throughout our community.”
The Snooks, along with Valley Storage Chief Operating Officer Gina Hackett and Chief Financial Officer Mike Fisher, toured the Beitzel Career Technology Training Center last Wednesday with college officials. The Valley Storage team visited the paramedic classroom as well as all of the other workforce training programs hosted at the CTTC.
Continuing Education & Workforce Development Dean Julie Yoder conducted the tour of the CTTC while Kepple headed a tour of GC’s main campus in McHenry.
“The donation of this pediatric simulator by Valley Storage is a testament to the company’s commitment to workforce development throughout our region,” said Yoder. “We sincerely appreciate their investment in our Paramedic program and in the simulation technology that helps students build confidence and competence in assessing and treating pediatric patients before entering the field.”
The Valley Storage team spent 2½ hours touring the two campuses.
“I’m extremely grateful for their gift, but also appreciative of the time they spent touring our Accident and McHenry campuses,” said Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president. “Their level of interest and engagement was very heartening.”