Jan. 9, 2016 | College of Nursing faculty, staff and students have been hard at work in December bringing joy and good tidings to many in Arkansas.
On Dec. 17, the college hosted its 16th annual Camp Quality Christmas party for families with children with cancer. More than 100 family members received a Christmas dinner and 39 children received presents and stockings full of treats and goodies from Santa. Money was raised by faculty, staff and students to purchase items from the children’s wish lists.
“This event is very special for so many families throughout Arkansas,” said Donna J. Middaugh, PhD, RN, associate dean for academic programs who heads the event. “These families have been through so much and many are in severe financial need as well. Our College of Nursing faculty, staff and students give from their heart to help make Christmas special for these families.”
This year’s event was the largest hosted by the college, said Middaugh.
In another project, under the leadership of Nicole Ward, APRN, a clinical assistant professor, the College of Nursing’s Gamma Xi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, provided 17 teen-aged foster children with Christmas gifts through the Tinsel for Teens project with the Centers for Youth and Families.
Sponsors for the children included nursing staffs on campus, faculty members, clinic staffs and student groups. Each child was asked to make a list for Christmas, which sponsor groups then chose from in buying gifts for the children.
“They asked for normal gifts like any teen, including an Xbox, iPad or an iPhone,” said Ward. “Each child received one major item from his or her list.”
The college’s junior class raised more than $500, which helped purchase additional gifts for each child.
“To see the generosity of so many people and know these teens will feel loved at Christmas is a great feeling,” said Ward.