Volunteers Fund Nursing Scholarship

The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, an all-volunteer organization in Gulfport, has established a nursing scholarship named in honor of two volunteers, Mrs. Geneva Howard and Reverend E. L. Howard (pictured above). The scholarship will benefit a nursing student on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast campus.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Never underestimate the power of someone who cares. A single volunteer can significantly impact the lives of many. The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, an all-volunteer organization, has been changing lives for years, funding scholarships at The University of Southern Mississippi and at various other programs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Approximately 80 volunteers belong to the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, which recently donated $2,500 to Southern Miss to fund a nursing scholarship.

Named in honor of two lifelong volunteers, the Revered E. L. Howard and Mrs. Geneva Howard Nursing Annual Scholarship will be awarded to a student majoring in nursing on The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast campus.

Rev. Howard, 93 years of age, has been a volunteer for the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for 60 years, while his wife, Geneva Howard, has volunteered for more than 50 years.

“The auxiliary decided to honor Mr. and Mrs. Howard by naming this scholarship after them,” said Linda McCullough, Coordinator of Volunteer Services at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. “They are an important part of the auxiliary and are a part of the history of the organization.”

The 80 members of the auxiliary raise money throughout the year by hosting various fundraisers. Volunteers also work in the hospital gift shop, which is owned by the auxiliary. Proceeds from the gift shop and other fundraisers are used to fund hospital programs and community initiatives, including funding the Howard Nursing Scholarship at Southern Miss. Last year, auxiliary volunteers raised more than $200,000.

“The Memorial Auxiliary is pleased to be able to be a small part of funding nursing scholarships for USM,” said Peter Psikogios, Memorial Auxiliary President. “We hope to be able to increase our participation in the coming years.”