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Lending a helping hand

By Julie Rausch

The Kansas Association of Nursing Students-WSU chapter calendar is so full, it’s a wonder the students have time for classes, jobs and families. It’s social responsibility and not social events, however, that keep its 50 members and faculty adviser Debbie Kennedy so busy.

For example, in September and October, KANS members collected a whopping 3,118 pounds of food for the Kansas Food Bank Warehouse; helped paint Donna’s House, a resource for people with HIV and AIDS; manned the health stations for the American Diabetes Association walk; helped with Bicycle Rodeo, part of Wesley Regional Medical Center’s Child Fair to teach bike safety; and held a drive for the Women’s Crisis Shelter. In addition, many of the students volunteered with the American Red Cross.

Steering the KANS group in this altruistic direction is Kennedy, instructor and clinical educator in WSU’s School of Nursing.

The group wasn’t always this active, both in membership and activity. When Kennedy became the group’s adviser in 1996, there were only 15 members.

An avid volunteer herself, Kennedy has inspired her students to donate their time and efforts, as well. And that inspiration goes both ways.

“It’s very inspirational to see a student organization so involved,” says Kennedy. “I think it’s an operational example of the ‘metropolitan advantage’ that students are learning to give back to the community.”

Senior Jessi Hemphill, a KANS member, calls Kennedy a great role model and motivator.

Her ability to motivate the group has earned her two awards this year already: the WSU President’s Award for Distinguished Service and most recently being named Leader of Leaders at the KANS and Kansas State Nursing Association State Convention.

Kennedy was secretly nominated for the recent faculty adviser award because she “urges students to conduct themselves in a way that reflects positively on our image as nursing students” and she teaches “the importance of professionalism and leadership at the very beginning of the nursing program” according to the KANS-WSU chapter nomination essay.

When President Hughes recognized her efforts this spring, he noted Kennedy’s peers described her as “absolutely passionate for nursing, community service and teaching young people” and “a tireless organizer, helping those in need in our community.”

Kennedy says volunteers are simply people who have a willingness to try to make their community a better place.

And what motivates her to volunteer?

“To try in some way to make a difference,” she says.

During the holidays, KANS members plan to help Anthony House, a homeless shelter for families, with parenting classes and health promotion. They also will collect new clothing for various shelters.

Jessi Hemphill, a Kansas Association of
Nursing Students-WSU chapter member, is
among several KANS volunteers helping to
spruce up Donna’s House, a resource for
people with HIV/AIDS.

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Amy Geiszler-Jones

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