The Saint Mary's Student Nursing Association (SNA) took a break from studying for finals on Wednesday evening to spread some holiday cheer to local families.
SNA sponsored a dinner for the families of children with demanding medical needs who are currently receiving respite care.
Senior nursing major and SNA cabinet member Julia Humphrey said these families devote themselves entirely to taking care of their children.
"The parents of these children are incredibly selfless," she said. "They lovingly give to their children mentally, emotionally and financially. Because of our close connection with and understanding of these families, SNA knew that our Christmas sponsorship would be fun for them."
In addition to dinner, the families decorated Christmas cookies, made ornaments and received a visit from Santa.
Humphrey said she felt the impact of SNA's efforts to plan the dinner before the first course had even been served.
When she called the families to formally invite them to Saint Mary's for the evening, Humphrey said the families became choked up from the gratitude they felt toward SNA and Saint Mary's.
Humphrey said the experience reaffirmed her choice to major in nursing.
"Being in the nursing field, we must ask ourselves daily, ‘What is one thing I can do to lighten the load of another,'" she said. "We have been able to apply this same notion to creating this party."
SNA and Saint Mary's nursing classes worked all semester to plan the event and to ensure every detail was accounted for, Humphrey said.
"The nursing class has been absolutely incredible, donating their time, money and effort to this cause," she said. "The party would not have come together if it had not been for the hard work of each individual."
