WNC students help children in need

For nearly a decade, the Western Nevada College chapter of the National Student Nurses Association has helped local children in need through the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. This year, the Associated Students of Western Nevada also have pitched in to make the holidays a bit brighter for these children. One hundred children will receive gifts and much needed items because of the generosity of these two WNC student clubs.

Each year, employees at WNC participate in an Employee Giving Campaign and pledge their support for the programs, scholarships and services made possible by the WNC Foundation. In its sixth and final week, the 2010 campaign has garnered support from 63 percent of the faculty and staff, making it the most successful employee giving campaign ever. It is anticipated that the campaign will end even stronger with

70 percent participation.

Employees give in different ways, for different reasons, so the position of the campaign is not the amount that individual employees give, but simply that they give. Here is an account of the reasons some employees choose to give to Western:

Kathryn Clark-Ross (Financial Assistance Office) gives to the Dr. William E Clark scholarship in honor of her father.

She says, "My father once told me that it was sad that my grandmother, an intelligent woman, nurse and caretaker never reached her full potential. She could've been a doctor or a scientist." I set up this scholarship in his name to help medical students reach their full potential.

Katie Durbin (Peace Officer Academy) gives because she believes in the power of education.

She says, "I believe that education is the key in advancing community and global awareness, improving financial health, increasing employment and balancing the employment scale to your advantage. I give because I want to be a part of helping someone achieve a dream of bettering themself. I have witnessed many of our students succeed after graduation, and a lot of them were able to do so as recipients of financial aid and scholarships."

Katie Leao's (Student Life Office) desire to give is rooted in the connection that WNC has provided to her.

"Connections are what keep us going, keep our spirits up and help us strive to make our community and family stronger," she said. "I have created wonderful connections with students, fellow employees and members of the community through WNC. I know that by giving, I can help our students benefit from the connections at WNC, just as I have."

College employees will additionally make a donation of food and money to Food for Thought from collections taken during the annual holiday potluck luncheon.