HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (JCESOM) students, in conjunction with their annual Holiday Gala, collected toys for the Hoops Family Children's Hospital Child Life Program.

“Every year Marshall’s medical students choose a charity to help support at the holidays,” said Michelle Studeny, a first-year medical student and president of the Class of 2017. “As medical students, we know the hospital can be a frightening place for children and we wanted to do something to help make the experience a little better. Having toys around certainly helps children feel more comfortable.”

Dozens of toys were collected at the Holiday Gala and will be delivered to the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital today.

The students also collected toiletries, towels and other personal items for the Huntington City Mission, donating a total of 603 items to the organization.

Other departments and groups within JCESOM are also involved with community projects this month and include the following:

• Biomedical Sciences graduate students collected toys for The Jared Box Project which are being distributed to chronically ill children at the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital.
• Until Dec. 16, the school’s department of surgery is collecting children’s pajamas, which will be given to the Huntington City Mission for children who are living at the mission. For more information, contact Holly Mathis in the department of surgery at 304-691-1200.
• Marshall Medical Outreach will conduct its monthly medical clinic on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Huntington. The group includes medical students, pharmacy students, medical residents and faculty physicians who offer medical care to people who are homeless or underprivileged. Following the medical outreach, personal items donated by groups around the tri-state, including the Marshall University Staff Council, will be given out. Additional information is available by contacting Missy Browning in the department of psychiatry at 304-691-1511.

Date Posted: Tuesday, December 10, 2013