Editor's note: This article and accompanying photo are advertising content for The Jamestown Sun's 2024 “Community Cheerleaders” special section. A special section features community volunteers.
JAMESTOWN — SMP Health – Ave Maria residents are giving back to others in a variety of ways, said Peggy Widmer, director of activities.
“Many of them were already very involved in their communities and just wanted to feel important again and have a purpose in life again,” she said.
Widmer said residents will decide who they want to help.
Among the projects residents have undertaken are making cat and dog beds using clothing donated to the James River Humane Society and making beds from girls' pillowcases distributed through the Orphan Grain Train. It includes a hygiene kit and a dress they made.
They sold button pins to raise $1,200 for St. Jude Children's Hospital, held a Christmas food drive for the Community Action Region VI Food Pantry, and folded towels to raise money for the Run of the Year. We raised $500 for The Pink.
Residents donated dream catchers for students at White Shield School, bookmarks for third and fourth graders at St. John's Academy and Roosevelt Elementary School, and a Moment of Freedom bake sale. and small hearts for the NICU at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.
Residents showed support for the Jamestown Police Department by holding small “life preserver” jars and offering sandwiches and drinks after a shooting in Fargo left one police officer dead and two others injured. Widmer said he purchased the.
Development director Annie Hancock said staff are also supporting residents' efforts.
“I think this says a lot about our team and our mission,” she said.
Development director Annie Hancock noted that Ave Maria was a drop site for children's coats, but the Salvation Army discontinued that, so they approached the Rotary Club to see if they could accept it instead. The Rotary Board of Directors agreed and launched the Rotary Ready for Winter campaign, collecting coats, boots, snow pants, mittens, and other warm winter clothing.
Last year, more than 50 families were assisted through Rotary's community efforts. Over 500 items were collected and distributed on distribution day. Hancock said items left over from the day were donated to Community Action Region VI, the Orphan Grain Train and an elementary school where children without winter gear can check out for winter break.
Hancock said Rotary will be spearheading the effort again this year in September, with Ave Maria scheduled to be the drop site.
“I don't think I could have done those projects if I hadn't worked at a place like Ave Maria that promotes community and volunteerism,” she said. “So I just appreciate the value … of the giving vibe that we have here.”
For her work with the Coats for Kids project and other volunteer efforts, Hancock received the Above and Beyond Award from the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce this year.
Kathy Steiner has been editor of the Jamestown Sun since 1995. She graduated from Valley City State University with a bachelor's degree in English and studied mass communication at North Dakota State University, Fargo. She reports on business, government and community topics in the Jamestown area. Contact us at 701-952-8449 or ksteiner@jamestownsun.com.
