The holiday season does tend to have an element of magic in the sense that it brings out something special in us all. For many, the season generates a desire to give to not only loved ones and those closest to us, but also to complete strangers and those that are less fortunate in some fashion. The staff, faculty, and students of the Grand Rapids North, Michigan campus of Ross Medical Education Center have big hearts that want to give during the holiday season and beyond. Those hearts were displayed through actions demonstrated over the past holiday season.
When those at the campus see someone in need, they immediately want to reach out and do what they can to help. In the spirit of the season, a local family in need was taken under the Ross wing after being identified by North End Community Ministries. During this time, many items were collected, purchased, donated, and even made personally by Ross students, staff, and faculty to ensure that this family had a Christmas to remember. Because of their generosity, this local family received food, clothing, sheets, blankets, warm coats, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, toys, and much more.
Many students contributed with donations of food and clothing, but a couple of students really took the initiative to go above and beyond. One student, along with her grown children, purchased two brand new toys for each of the seven children in this large family. Another student took it upon herself to make handmade blankets that were customized for each one of the seven children. All of the gifts were wrapped and delivered to the family in time for the big day.
“How very rewarding to be a part of such a selfless group of people!” shared Carrie Hall, Career Services Career Development Representative. “No words can express the gratitude, but taking the extra time and effort outside of the classroom, the studying, the family, and working in order to pay tuition, these students really exemplify joy and selflessness and that is something that Ross is proud to represent.”