I haven’t been to Columbine County Club since the club had extensive remodeling. Saturday the club played host to the annual spring luncheon of the Friends of Nursing in their new banquet addition that is open for business and doing an excellent job.
The Villager has been a supporter and admirer of Friends of Nursing for many years. We have multiple longtime friends among the membership like the founder and president, Greta Pollard, who was celebrating her 91st birthday at the event and LaFawn Biddle, who continues to support so many organizations. The group sang “Happy Birthday” to both ladies.
We’re especially proud of Melanie Wallace, president-elect of the organization, who is excelling during her presidency. The event on Saturday was magnificently conducted presenting over $100,000 worth of scholarship awards to 30 deserving nursing students at nine Colorado Schools of Nursing. Radio personality, and longtime nursing supporter, Rick Crandall served as master-of-ceremonies and read brief bios of each of the worthy recipients.
The mission of the organization states, “To advance professional nursing by providing scholarships for quality education in baccalaureate and higher degree programs in nine Colorado Schools of Nursing and to improve the health of Colorado communities.”
President-elect Melanie Wallace welcomed the packed ballroom facility speaking about the spring luncheon theme, “HOPE BLOSSOMS.” She eloquently related, “Hope comes out of the feeling we have when we see flowers blooming, the pretty colors, the green leaves, something is growing and blooming, it is alive. I hope you each feel that hope is blossoming in your soul’s today.” She continued, “These students are inspirational… loving life, caring about one another, and achieving the goals set before us, that is the good life, La Dolce Vita.”
Following the award presentations two musical solos were performed by soprano Sara Michael and pianist Alicia Rigsby that elevated the roof off the banquet hall with eloquence.
Friends of Nursing is a 501(c)(3) and donations may be made to the scholarship fund: Mail to Friends of Nursing P.O. Box 735, Englewood, CO. 80151.
The inspiring invocation was given by Reverend Bruce Finfrock. It was announced that three life members have passed away, Dr. Mary Krugman, Ann N. Smith, and Pat Schroeder, U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997. Remembrances were also extended to members Mary Englund, Thompson “Tom” Tate and Lions Club member, Rod Wicklund.
Congratulations were extended to “Friends” immediate past-president, Lola Fehr, on her honor of receiving the “Lifetime Achievement Award from the CU Nursing Alumni Association.