Just like many others, the students, staff, and faculty of Ross Medical Education Center in New Baltimore, Michigan are anxiously awaiting and getting ready for the holidays. However, as they prepare to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, they are careful to remember those that may not be able to be with their families and friends this holiday season. They know that there are many men and women in uniform whose bravery and sacrifice allow others to celebrate freely. Oftentimes that sacrifice also means missing important times with those that mean the most to them.
Each year, the New Baltimore campus hosts a Holiday Mail for Heroes event at the campus through the American Red Cross. This year, in order to try to make more of an impact, the campus was pleased to team up with local Aspen Dental – Chesterfield to take part this annual event. Students in all programs, faculty members, and staff from both Ross and Aspen Dental worked hard to write cards for these heroes that cannot be with loved ones this holiday season. With everyone working together, they were able to write and deliver nearly 200 holiday cards with special words of celebration and thanks to members of the armed forces that will be deployed over the holidays.
Kind words were shared by students, faculty, and staff members with the hopes to reach as many heroes as possible. A student in the evening Medical Assistant program, Lacresha Holland, shared about the experience, “filling out holiday cards for our men and women brought joy to mine and my daughters’ heart. We felt even though it was so little that it could still bring holiday joy to those who could not be home. This was an excellent opportunity to give back and we were excited to take part!” Many other students and staff members felt similarly and look forward to taking part in the years to come!