Chattanooga, TN (November 25, 2015) --- In what has become a traditional service project for the Chattanooga State Registered Nursing students in classes taught by Hennie Gunter and Dr. Cheryl Miller, a Wellness Fair for the homeless was organized by the students and held at the Community Day Center adjacent to the Community Kitchen.

Approximately 140 people were served during the fair. Donations were received from nursing students and local companies that included Publix, Walmart, Coca Cola, Sam’s, McKay’s Book Store and C.J. Party Rentals.  The Dental Hygiene class, as well as Chattanooga State faculty and the Chattanooga State Student Nurses’ Association also were instrumental in providing donations. Everyone worked together to ensure that each participant received essential items. Some of these items included toboggans, gloves, hand warmers, scarves, socks, underwear, blankets, hand sanitizer, backpacks, books, toothbrushes, toothpaste as well as bottled water and fresh fruit.

The students organized and prepared seven stations for the clients to rotate through. These stations included: prevention of infection by proper hand washing, prevention of hypothermia during the winter months, blood pressure information and checks, and nutritional education. The dental hygiene students provided various dental care items. Clients also were offered foot massages and clean socks. A popcorn station with freshly popped popcorn and Coca-Cola products to drink were available to all.

According to Gunter and Miller, the students who participated in the wellness fair were inspired by how humble and thankful these clients were to receive the services offered by the students. In the words of a senior nursing student, “It was inspiring to me as a future nurse to be able to participate in this project. After seeing the services provided by the Community Kitchen, it makes me proud to be a Chattanoogan.”

For more information about the Chattanooga State registered nursing program, call 423.697.4450 or visit http://www.chattanoogastate.edu/nursing-allied-health/nursing.html.