Recently, representatives from the Ross Medical Education Center campus in Lafayette, Indiana accepted an invitation and attended a Saturday morning social event with all of the residents of the Indiana Veterans Home. The event was designed to bring some excitement and joy into their lives and to help them start off their day with some fun! As a campus, staff, faculty, and students all came together and held a drive to benefit the veterans.
Through the drive, the campus was able to donate a variety of snacks. They then bagged up a plentiful supply that would last each resident for a long time! When all was said and done, they ended up being able to donate over 160 giant bags of goodies, including granola bars, pudding, and other delicious snacks. Then they personally handed them out one by one to each resident. A dozen Ross representatives were able to actually go out to the facility and help those who wanted to come down for donuts, coffee, the news on a big screen, and of course some good conversation.
Many from the campus, including Campus Director Tim Hula enjoyed spending time with residents and getting to know them. Teresa Mitchell, a current student in the Lafayette Medical Assistant program, was able to attend the event and shared about her experience, “I really enjoyed spending time with the vets and some of the wives. Their stories gave me life, definitely worth the time to come out!” The veterans also were happy to receive the gifts and spend time talking to the staff and students.
In addition to the excitement from the veterans and the Ross staff, faculty, and students, the activities coordinators at the Indiana Veterans Home also really appreciated that the volunteers came out to help and personalize the time with each resident. The organization currently has a very small staff and isn’t always able to provide attention and conversation to each veteran in their care.