UNMC shares the holiday spirit

Among the outreach and holiday-themed events that took place at UNMC this season:

The Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Human Genetics Laboratory was involved this year in several holiday outreach activities, including:

Members of MMI’s Human Genetics Laboratory adopted a family for the holidays.

• collecting used eyeglasses for WalMart’s optical department to refurbish, and canned goods to be donated to a local food pantry.
• posting throughout the laboratory copies of a “Random Acts of Kindness” list for individuals to read and place a mark next to a gift they intend to share this holiday season.
• adopting a JP Lord family, which is an annual tradition for the lab. Staffers collect monetary donations throughout the year, shop and provide gifts under the tree for all the kids in the family.

From the College of Allied Health Professions:

• Radiation Science and Technology students collected and delivered winter gear (coats, caps and gloves) for children at a local elementary school.
• A CAHP staff member and her family made ornaments for charity.
• The physical therapy student organization bought and delivered Thanksgiving meals to two families in need.
• Students in Omaha and Kearney held a “Winter Essentials Drive,” collecting clothing and other essentials (toilet paper, canned goods, diapers), which they delivered to homeless shelters in Omaha and Kearney.
• RSTE students, faculty and alumni helped decorate the Ronald McDonald House for the holidays. See a Flickr slideshow here.
• The college held an Adopt-a-Family event, with people donating, a team shopping and a wrapping party before the gifts were delivered.

The Olson Center for Women’s Health held a Winter Warm Up event for the campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The event featured hot apple cider, hot cocoa, holiday recipes, treats and games. In addition, the center was one of the many departments to assist in the UNMC Adopt-A-Family program this year. At right, “wrapping party” attendees included, clockwise from top left, administrative team members Karen Stoysich, Benita Perea, Deb Vierregger, Christy Smith, Darcy Brougham, Bridgette Hallock, Katherine Williams, and Sarah Matya.