The holidays are just around the corner and with them comes the time to give thanks for all we have and the opportunity to help families less fortunate than our own. The School of Nursing (SoN) has organized a Holiday Wishes project every year since 2002 and has helped more than 200 families, thanks to unbelievable generosity of SoN faculty, staff and students. The project involves groups of individuals working together to support an Early Head Start (EHS) family by donating gifts to fulfill some of their holiday wishes.
The process involves EHS staff identifying families who are most in need and providing us with their wish lists. Each group then chooses a family to sponsor. If you are not in a group but would still like to participate, let me know and I’ll get you connected with a group or let you know what additional items are needed.
A check for a cash donation or gift cards for groceries or to stores such as Target and Shopko, for example, are additional great ways to help a family in need. To ensure the money will be used for a SoN family, make the check payable to Mary Russell and the money will be shared with one or more of our families. Checks payable to Early Head Start are also accepted and the money will be used to help families other thanthose being sponsored by the SoN.
Thank you very much for your kindness and support over the years. It is because of you that the SoN has been able to brighten the holidays for over 200 Early Head Start families. Please consider helping a family in need during this holiday season as well. If you or a group of your friends or coworkers would like to sponsor a family this year, please contact Mary Russell at or 263-5183 byThursday, Nov. 10th. I’ll then be able to get you your family information by November 22nd.
Sincerely,
Mary Russell
263-5183
Below is a thank you card received from a past family.
Dear Nursing School,
I, Santa G. (and family) would like to thank you all very much for "Christmas presents. It was our first Christmas in US and with your help and thoughtfulness my kids got to enjoy Christmas. We felt very fortunate to be one of the family to be picked. My kids now have strong faith on Christmas and Santa. Growing up in the Refugee camp we never knew having Christmas celebration or getting gift wrapped so well.
Thank you all once again and wish you all a very happy new year.
I talked to my children about you all and Nursing school. I hope they will one day get to study there and fulfill parents American Dream. We hop you will remember us again in future.
G. Family