Matt Hamilton/The Daily CitizenXavier Holland and Megan Walker move their robot into place at the convention center during last year's competition.

DALTON, Ga. — Dalton is again hosting the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition for ninth- through 12th-graders at the convention center, this year from March 9-11, and event coordinators are seeking donations from area businesses for the teams’ welcome boxes.

“This is an event we’re hosting in Dalton for the second year in a row,” volunteer coordinator Christie Shelton said. “We want to continue it, but need community support to do that.”

More than 38 teams of at least 20 individuals per team and their family members will visit the convention center for qualifying rounds, including a team from the Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy that went to national competition last year and a rookie team from North Murray High School.

Some examples of things to donate are promotional items, discount coupons and gift cards. Shelton said some businesses prefer to donate a gift basket to give away as a door prize. Anything with the company’s logo is acceptable so that visitors can have “a piece of Dalton to take back with them,” she said. A single item can be used as a raffle or door prize.

To donate, contact Shelton at (706) 581-7926 or drop items off with Tanner Jaco at the Downtown Dalton Development Authority at 305 S. Depot St.

“Last year visitors thought we had so much hospitality,” Shelton said.”The community was very generous in giving us things and we want to continue that.”

Shelton said robotics is “extremely important” to the community because of the focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) instruction in the schools.

“I think all schools (in the area) have some sort of STEM program, if not they are moving toward it,” Shelton said.

She said the community did such a great job welcoming the competitors last year.

“We can continue the trend started and be strong in community support again,” she said. “I see no reason why we can’t continue this for years to come.”