Samaritan nurses planning to ‘Make A Difference’

Holding food drive and cemetery cleanup on Oct. 25

WATERTOWN, Oct. 15, 2008 – Registered nurses from Samaritan Medical Center will observe “National Make A Difference Day” on Saturday, Oct. 25, by organizing a pair of community activities. And they’re inviting the public to join in.

The nurses, members of the New York State Nurses Association, are coordinating a food drive and a clean-up of the Arsenal Street Cemetery between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

They’ve already started collecting donations from their RN colleagues at Samaritan and will be available to collect food and non-perishables outside of the cemetery. Cider and doughnuts will be available to all who submit a donation or join in the clean-up.

With the economy getting tighter, local community assistance organizations such as food banks are finding it harder to keep their supply shelves stocked. And as winter approaches, more families are seeking help each month.

“The needs of the less fortunate in our community are more acute than ever,” said Laura Houppert, a Samaritan RN. “It’s times like these that remind us that it’s only by supporting each that we can truly make a difference.”

At the same time, the nurses will be coordinating a cleanup at the cemetery, removing overgrown or decaying vegetation and picking up litter. They've even adopted two plots to maintain.

“As nurses, it’s our duty to focus on our community’s needs. Some would even say it’s a calling,” Houppert said. “These activities give us an opportunity to show that caring doesn’t end when our patients leave the building. Any donation, big or small, will be valuable.”

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 36,000 members, it is the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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