Apr 17, 2025
A few of the donated Blessing Care Bags are pictured here with:
Stevana Dalgard, ESP/ESG Program Manager of CLMCAA
Adrienne Beckham, Retired Faculty of LSSU, Treasurer of Chi Omega Chapter
Charlotte Kostelyk, LSSU Nursing Faculty and President of Chi Omega Chapter
Dr. Sandi King, LSSU Nursing Faculty, Counselor, and Service Chair of Chi Omega Chapter
Contact: Charlotte Kostelyk, Associate Professor of Nursing and President of Chi Omega Chapter 526, [email protected], 906-635-2438
(Sault Ste. Marie, MI) – Chi Omega Chapter 526, a Nursing Honor Society partnership between LSSU in Sault, MI and Sault College in Sault, ON, is donating Blessing Care Bags to the clients of the Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency (CLMCAA) to support individuals facing housing challenges in our region.
Chi Omega’s donation consisted of Blessing Care Bags that are filled with personal items designed to provide warmth, comfort, and hygiene essentials during challenging times. Each Blessing Care Bag contains a variety of items aimed at meeting basic needs, including gloves, hats, and hand warmers to help protect against the cold. Socks and blankets are included for extra warmth, while a rain jacket ensures recipients stay dry during inclement weather. Hygiene essentials such as hand sanitizer, soap, deodorant, and wipes promote cleanliness and personal care. The bags also contain a comb, shaver, toothbrush, and toothpaste, providing everyday necessities that many may lack.
Dr. Sandi King, Assistant Professor at LSSU, Chi Omega’s Counselor and Service Chair, emphasizes the deeper significance of the Blessing Care Bags: “By donating backpacks filled with personal care items to those in need, which is more than just an act of kindness, we not only offer individuals having hardships with housing a chance to carry their dignity; but it’s a reminder that a small gesture can restore hope and remind someone they’re not invisible and they matter.”
As Joe Nolan, Executive Director of CLMCAA, shares, “We are very grateful to the Chi Omega Sigma Nursing Organization and LSSU for their generosity and commitment to serving our community. These Blessing Bags will provide comfort, dignity, and tangible support to those who need it most. Partnerships like this reflect the power of community and compassion working hand in hand.”
CLMCAA’s mission is aligned with this community-centered effort: “Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to attacking poverty by eliminating barriers, increasing opportunities, and providing support services for changing lives and improving self-sufficiency.”
About Chi Omega:
Chi Omega Chapter 526, a Nursing Honor Society partnership between Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and Sault College in Sault, ON, is dedicated to serving the Great Lakes Region 10 community by actively engaging nursing students, nurse leaders, and registered nurses in graduate programs. Currently, we have 11 LSSU nursing students and graduates, 19 Sault College nursing students and graduates, along with 5 LSSU faculty and 6 nurse leaders, all of whom hold active memberships in the Chi Omega Chapter.
Our chapter focuses on students who have completed at least half of their nursing curriculum and are in the top 35% of their class, as well as nurses who demonstrate leadership within the community. Additionally, we actively engage registered nurses pursuing graduate degrees who have completed 50% of their curriculum.
As part of Sigma, an international community of nurses, we are committed to advancing knowledge, education, research, and service. Our chapter fosters collaboration and growth among nursing professionals, empowering them to serve their communities, enhance their skills, and make a lasting impact in the nursing field. We aim to inspire and support individuals committed to both personal and professional growth.
Call to Action:
If you’re a nurse or nursing student, or have ideas for communities of practice, CE opportunities, or service projects, Chi Omega Chapter 526 invites you to join us. Help advance Sigma’s mission of connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare. Get involved today!