MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Laci Sears, a senior nursing student and ambassador at the WVU School of Nursing, recently led a school supplies drive to help a Logan County elementary school replenish supplies after a fire.
No one was injured during the February fire, but the school experienced major damage in the classrooms and loss of materials. Sears learned about the fire from her mom, who is a high school principal in southern West Virginia.
“After my mom told me about the fire, I went to their Facebook page and saw that they were in need of items for their classrooms. The one that stood out to me the most was a comment by a kindergarten student saying she had lost her crayons in the fire. I could only imagine how devastated the students and teachers must have felt losing their supplies.”
Sears then reached out to Dr. Tina Antill Keener, Director of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program, to get permission to host a donation drive, which would not only support the elementary school, but would also help nursing students earn volunteer service hours. She hosted the drive through March 13 and recently delivered the supplies.
“The turnout was truly amazing,” she said. “We collected over 300 donated items, including Clorox wipes, tissues, stationary items, and so much more.”
Sears said the school staff was grateful for the donations and that some of the donated items were ones that they had not yet received.
“It felt really rewarding,” Sears said. “Community service projects have always held a special place in my heart and I love having the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact on others.”
-WVU-
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu