Galen College of Nursing alumni in Roanoke are spreading holiday cheer by helping fill Thanksgiving baskets for students in need.
According to the nursing school, Kayla Myers and Deonte Dance, both members of Roanoke’s second graduating cohort in December 2024, dedicated their time and money to help fill 25 Thanksgiving boxes for students on campus. They brought several bags full of non-perishable items, including canned vegetables, stuffing mix, instant potatoes, and gravy mix.
Recommended Videos
This act of kindness came after school leaders conducted an informal poll to assess the level of need among students who might need extra support this holiday season. Based on the poll and discussions, campus leaders decided to prepare 25 Thanksgiving boxes. Each box includes stuffing, instant potatoes, two cans of vegetables, a box of cake or pie mix, instant gravy, and bread.
“I feel I am very blessed and I feel the need to support our students, so if I feel like if there’s a need I don’t mind picking up an extra load of items,” Galen Roanoke Dean Kimberly Brown said. “If we have the opportunity to make the students’ lives easier, we definitely want to do it. The ultimate goal is to serve our students.”
Dance said it was a blessing to be able to serve as a blessing to others.
Last year, I was really not in a position to do anything Thanksgiving related,” Dance said. “I was struggling financially, still trying to finish school. A few of the faculty and the dean all reached out and told me just go into the food pantry and get myself some food, a few things I can make for myself and the boys, and they actually had put some funds together and put together a thanksgiving kit. It had a turkey and instant stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. and that’s what they told me they’re doing this year.
It was a great feeling, the fact that they were able to come together and help me was truly a blessing. The least me and (Kayla) can do was to return the favor.
Deonte Dance