Park Forest Nurses Club donates to PSC
November 29, 2012 3:38PM
Representatives from the Park Forest Nurses Club and the Prairie State College nursing program gather to recognize the club’s donation to the college. | Supplied Photo
Updated: January 3, 2013 6:04AM
Prairie State College received a $50,000 donation from the Park Forest Nurses Club, which closed its doors recently due to dwindling membership.
School officials said the money will be used to establish an endowed scholarship fund for nursing students at PSC that will be awarded in the name of the Park Forest Nurses Club.
The club also donated its archives, which consist of minutes, clippings and the Drawsheet newsletters, as well as other memorabilia, all of which will be housed at PSC.
Cathy Killian Kloss, executive director of the PSC Foundation, said that prior to its decision to cease operations as a nonprofit and donate its treasury balance to PSC Foundation, the Park Forest Nurses Club funded partial nursing scholarships for individuals who were planning to attend or were attending an accredited college or university.
PSC applicants were among the past recipients.
“We are grateful for this outstanding financial support and the confidence the Park Forest Nurses Club has placed in Prairie State College’s nursing department and the students it prepares to enter health care careers,” Kloss said.
The Park Forest Nurses Club started in 1950, and throughout its history has awarded more than $158,000 in scholarships to 251 students. The money was collected through yearly dues of $25 as well as garage, rummage and bake sales.
The club also made $5,000 to $7,000 for each of the half-day continuing-education seminars that nurses are required to attend each year.
“We are pleased that the Park Forest Nurses Club will continue in name through our donation to PSC,” said club member Lori Schwartz, who also has worked as a PSC adjunct faculty and nursing site clinical supervisor.
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