During the month of September, the Ross Medical Education Center campus in Portage, Michigan held a book and magazine drive for Bronson Methodist Hospital. By the end of drive, Ross students, staff, and faculty were able to donate 377 books and magazines. All of the donations will go directly to Bronson’s main campus in Kalamazoo for distribution to patients and their visitors. The campus made sure to collect books and magazines that would be appropriate for a large variety of ages and interests. That way they can assist as many people as possible to pass the time during their stays at the hospital.
Bronson Methodist Hospital is a major hospital system in the Portage/Kalamazoo area, with smaller hospitals and offices in the Paw Paw and Battle Creek areas to the east and west of Kalamazoo. All year long a variety of donations are accepted by the hospital. Some of the items include crochet hats, time, money, and more. For this drive, the campus chose to donate used books that they and their family members had already read and enjoyed as well as magazines so that patients and their visitors have something to do during their stays. Also, some books may be given to the hospital staff to be included as part of their give one, take one book exchange.
This event was organized by Nikki Martini, Career Services Student Support Representative at the Portage campus. She knew that this would be a simple act of kindness for families and patients in the hospital that would make a big difference. “I am extremely pleased with the volume of books and magazines donated,” Nikki shared. “We originally hoped to collect 150 books and magazines, and in a little more than two weeks we collected two and a half times our goal. It was a great way to end this event, and it’s a testament to the generosity of our students.” The staff and faculty as a whole is very proud of their generous students and look forward to doing this event again in the future.