Many Ross Medical Education Center students choose to pursue a career in the health field because of their compassion and commitment to helping those in their community. In a display of that commitment, the Ross Medical Education Center Midland, Michigan campus recently collected and donated items for children who were hospitalized at MidMichigan Medical Center during the holidays. Some of the items collected were reading and coloring books, crayons, learning games, small dolls, small toy cars, puzzles, decks of cards, and more. Additionally, the campus collected some travel size personal items such as, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and lotion.
Throughout the month of December, the Midland campus worked together to post informational posters around the community and in local businesses to spread the word about their gift drive. They also received the support of State Representative Gary Glenn who wanted to bring attention to their efforts to collect and donate items for the children. Representative Glenn shared about the event with his constituents in his Lansing Capitol Report, giving information about key components of the drive and encouraging residents to give.
Through their efforts, 18 children received gift bags that were put together and donated by staff, faculty, and students in Midland. To go one step further, all of the students made and wrote holiday cards to be added to the bags for the children to read and enjoy. “As the students and staff prepared the gift bags to be delivered, there was definitely heartfelt joy in knowing that the Campus played a part in bringing holiday cheer to children who were unable to be at home waiting for Santa’s arrival,” shared Office Assistant Cori Leigeb.
At the end of the drive, the Career Services and Financial Aid teams traveled together to deliver the gift bags to the hospital. They gave them to the children’s main nurse post within the hospital where they were able to accept and deliver the gift bags to the children and their families. The nurses that accepted the gift bags were very appreciative and let us know that it was a very generous and thoughtful donation. They also expressed that the kids that would be receiving the bags would be very happy. The students, staff, and faculty at Ross were also very positively impacted by the opportunity to be a part of making the holidays a little brighter for these children and their families.