Nursing students hold frosty fundraiser in Woodstock

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 31, 2017

On a recent frigid Saturday morning, eight nursing students from Sumner College near Tigard, and their instructor, stood in front of Grand Central Bakery on S.E. Woodstock Boulevard for five hours to participate in a fundraiser for the “Mother and Child Education Center” — where they volunteer, and do clinicals.

Woodstock resident Marlena Egle, who is in her last year of nursing school at Sumner, was braving the wintry cold with her colleagues. She told THE BEE that working at the nonprofit Mother and Child Education Center (MCEC) in the Hollywood district of Northeast Portland has opened her eyes to a reality she never knew. Low-income women come to MCEC from Southeast Portland, and all over the Portland Metro area, including the City of Milwaukie. There, they receive emergency supplies and services.

Egle and her husband are raising five children in Woodstock, who are attending Lewis Elementary, Sellwood Middle School, and Cleveland High. Her family, she says, is relatively privileged.

“I have spent thirty hours at the MCEC, and seeing the real need in the community has been a big wake-up for me. It has been a sobering experience. It was sad to see the women who came in,” Egle reflected.

Rachel Nordgren, an instructor of the eight students, was also present, and sat down on a very cold bench outside the bakery with us to share what she likes about having her students participate in fundraisers. “For some of them it is their first time to volunteer for a fundraiser. The students see how it’s helping the community. And I like to see them grow.”

Nordgren remarked that in addition to making emergency supplies available, the MCEC helps women who just need to talk with someone for advice on childbirth and mothering. Women can also take childbirth and parenting classes there, and get help from a lactation consultant.

Many mothers need emergency supplies of prenatal vitamins, baby formula, or diapers, all of which are often beyond their budget.

“I love that what MCEC offers is going to people who really need help,” Woodstock’s Egle says. “Sometimes the mother has nowhere to put the baby when it’s born.” (Lightly used bassinets and cribs are welcome donations to the center.)

Jessica Rengo, client-care lead and training coordinator at MCEC says the Center welcomes donations of diapers, formula (Similac blue container), all kinds of baby clothes (especially warm coats this season), maternity clothing, and blankets. Also, non-expired car seats that have never been in an accident are very much appreciated.

“I love working at MCEC because it’s part of the solution. It makes me want to come to work,” says MCEC’s Rengo. “I love helping a mom figure out her needs [and how to get them met].”

Maura White, MCEC executive director informed THE BEE that the Woodstock fundraiser, along with two others by the same group of students, raised $750 for a shed for MCEC to store the community donations.

“We love it when the Sumner students participate in our program,” said White. “They not only work directly with clients, but fundraise for us to show their support.”

The Mother & Child Education Center was founded on February 15, 1971. To learn more go online to: http://www.momchildpdx.org. Or call 503/249-5801. Contributions are more than welcome: Write a check to Mother & Child Education Center, 11515 N.E. 41st Avenue, Portland 97232, and you can deliver donated supplies to the same address.

Money and in-kind donations are tax deductible. Any little bit helps. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Sunday.