Dressed for winter

In time for last week’s wintery blast, UNMC Radiation Technology Education (RSTE) students recently distributed coats, hats and gloves to students at Miller Park Elementary School.

The RSTE program’s fourth annual coat drive yielded approximately 50 children’s coats, hats and pairs of gloves, said James Temme, associate director of the RSTE in the School of Allied Health Professions.









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The Miller Park kindergartner’s are joined by, from left, RSTE students Kelsey Lechtenberg, Kelly Parde, Rebecca Peterson and Alyssa Evans, Miller Park Principal Lisa Utterback, UNMC’s Jim Temme and kindergarten teacher Abby McGinnis, kneeling among the students.

This year, four RSTE students — Kelsey Lechtenberg, Kelly Parde, Rebecca Peterson and Alyssa Evans — delivered the winter-weather gear to Miller Park just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

“It’s very worthwhile and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed,” Temme said of the annual coat drive. “During a visit to the school years ago, I noticed a lot of kids were without hats, gloves or decent coats. I suggested a drive to the RSTE students and we’ve continued the tradition ever since.”

For Evans, it was an unforgettable event.

“Most memorable was seeing the joy on the kids’ faces, they were so grateful,” she said. “It really makes you thankful for what you have in your life.”

Among the recipients of the hot pink, deep blue and lavender hats and gloves were 18 kindergarteners in the classroom of Temme’s daughter, teacher Abby McGinnis.

“The kids just giggled when they received these,” Temme said. “It’s like they received a Playstation.”