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Date 3-15-06
Author Jason Sherwood
Contact Shelia White 228.865.4573
Gulfport—The
University of Southern Mississippi's 2006 nursing class has used
a national quilt raffle to turn Katrina's tragedy into a triumph,
bringing together nursing colleagues from all over the country.
The compassion of the nursing professionals came together with the
courageous ingenuity of the senior class to create an inspiring
fund-raiser.
"We were
saddened to hear of all the losses the people on the Coast were
experiencing," said Keitha Mountcastle, nurse and faculty member
at California State University in Fresno and winner of the quilt.
"I got the flier for the quilt raffle, with a picture of the
Friendship Oak and a quilt designed with the theme of 'friendship.'
I appreciated the motivation, need, and creativity of the nursing
students. I thought it was a great way to raise money and sent off
a check."
With the original
quilt destroyed in the storm and very few people desiring raffle
tickets on the Coast, the traditional fund-raiser seemed like a
lost cause. However, after hearing of the need for a new quilt,
a generous group of teachers in Illinois pulled together, raising
funds and hand sewing a new replacement.
With such a
response, the '06 class decided to take their fund-raiser beyond
Mississippi, mailing packets to nursing students and professionals
throughout the country. Each packet contained a short letter, a
flyer, and a story of the Friendship Oak at the Gulf Park campus.
The quilt reflects its theme, "Friendship," with a leaf
pattern on the back in black and gold colors.
Judy Hayes,
president of the 2006 nursing class on the Coast, said the response
was "heartwarming." "Every donation had a letter
attached,” she said. “Some of them made us cry. It's good to know
that people out there care."
Harold Mountcastle,
husband of the raffle’s winner, spent several weeks working in Katrina
relief efforts prior to the drawing. With his anxious wife remaining
at home, Harold worked 12-14 hour days with the Red Cross, and he
would share news about conditions on the coast with Keitha long
distance. The couple naturally developed a connection to south Mississippi,
and winning the quilt proved to be an emotional experience for both
of them.
The raffle enables
the senior class to give Katrina aid to students. They also plan
to host an annual reception ceremony in May, pay for the 2006 graduation
party, and leave traditional gifts for both the nursing advisors
and the School of Nursing. This year's gift is the Art of Nursing
Award, to be presented to a student who demonstrates an exceptional
dedication to the profession. The advisor gifts will be determined
later.
For more information
on the Southern Miss Gulf Coast nursing program, call 228.865.4517
or visit www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/gchealth.
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