DANVILLE , IL (12/09/2010)(readMedia)-- Many children in the area will be receiving mittens, hats, scarves and sweats from a group of Lakeview College of Nursing students.

"We decided we wanted to help children in some way and decided that we could make an impact on local children," explained Chelsea Kyger, one of the students involved with the project.

Kyger along with Kayla Ingalsbe, Laura McCall and Melynda McCormick, who are also Lakeview students, began collecting donated items for their mitten tree project in October. To date they have collected over $300 and about 100 winter accessory items that they will deliver to the East Central Illinois Community Action Head Start Program today.

The East Central Illinois Community Action Head Start Program helps almost 400 families with childcare for 3-5 year olds. The majority of those families have an annual income at or below the poverty level, according to the group of nursing students.

"Education is the way out of poverty and we, as nursing students, wanted to help that kind of cause," stated Kyger.

"The amount of donations received has been overwhelming and shows the local support of children in need," said Kyger. There is still a need for additional assistance, though, according to Karla Dieu, a teacher with the Head Start Program.

If you would like to contribute dollars or winter clothing items please contact Jean Cunningham, Head Start Program Director at 217-443-2705.

Lakeview College of Nursing is a single-purpose, upper-division college that has specialized in educating nurses since 1894. Lakeview began its baccalaureate program in Danville, IL, in 1988.

Posted Thursday December 09, 2010 at 06:00 am by Lakeview College of Nursing
Last Updated Friday December 10, 2010 at 10:05 am