Tis the season, “Have a list, and checking it twice, must find out who was naughty or nice…And so it goes, many of us have lists of things to do, unfinished projects, and what to do this week. It is a busy time for all. It is always time to honor nurses and their highly revered and honored profession, rated number one in America.
At the top of my list today is to thank the Friends of Nursing for a great celebration of this organization at Eddie V’s restaurant this past Saturday. This holiday celebration is a prelude to the annual scholarships award program that this organization of nurses and friends of nurses will conduct on April 20, 2024, for students entering nursing schools. The goal this year is to award more than $100,000 for scholarships to assist students to become nurses. You can still make donations to this group at www.friendsofnursing.org/donate.
Saturday it was so good to see some of our very longtime friends, like venerable LaFawn Biddle who does so many kind deeds for many non-profit organizations. And there was our friend Greta Pollard who is a stoic supporter of Friends of Nursing.
The organization has a superb leader in President Melanie Wallace and family who planned the celebration dinner with her hard-working committee gathering the silent auction prizes from so many generous contributors. The décor of Eddie V’s was decorated with festive angels with flowers from Swiss Flower and Gift. The invocation was given by Reverend Bruce Finfrock.
Taking a page from the program of events, sponsor LaFawn Biddle is at the top of the list. Radio personality Rick Crandall was MC for the after dinner musical program where he has served as host and MC for three decades. There was Greta Pollard again stepping up to sponsor her favorite nursing passion. Other sponsors assisting FON to reach their scholarship goal are Dr. Robert Damrauer, The Courtney C. and Lucy Patton Davis Foundation, Mike Fant, Brenda Olson, Regis University, Jerry and Jeannie Taylor Family Foundation, Melanie’s husband Doug, daughter Mandy Wallace, and sister Teri Carlson, and Western Credit Union, and many volunteers.
Following the luscious luncheon, silent auction, and Christmas “Shoppe” shopping treasures the friends gathered in the lounge area for musical presentations and holiday readings by Rick Crandall, with his deep melodious radio voice.
The musical magnificents were soprano, Christie Conover, and pianist Barbie Noyes. Conover, a Miss America contestant, lives in Denver and is associated with the Eklund Opera program at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Noyes matched the beautiful soprano’s voice with perfect keystrokes to “Ava Maria” and Christmas carols. Noyes has performed at Carnegie Hall and serves as the Postdoctoral Lecturer in Collaborative Piano at CU Boulder.
It is still in the holiday season and the real spirit of Christmas in giving, rather than receiving. Support your favorite nonprofits as the scriptures tell us. Thank you nurses for all you do!