The Black Student Association (BSA) at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center recently donated $250 to the Memphis Union Mission. The check was presented during this year’s BSA Awards Ceremony.
BSA members select a local charity or philanthropic effort to support each year. “As future healthcare professionals, we are passionate about the health of our community and love giving back to the community that has been able to give us so much in our time here at UTHSC,” said Kristiana Avad, BSA service chair and College of Pharmacy student.
Founded in 1945, the Memphis Union Mission is the city’s oldest rescue mission dedicated to assisting the homeless with food, shelter, and clothing. “We collectively decided to donate to the Memphis Union Mission,” said Briana Spruill-Harrell, College of Graduate Health Sciences student representative and BSA executive board member, who led the initiative. “This donation will have a major impact on our community, and we are thankful that we were able to donate to this wonderful organization to help strive to make Memphis a better place.”
BSA invited leadership from the Memphis Union Mission to be part of the Awards Ceremony and check presentation. A recent graduate of one of the Memphis Union Mission’s programs, who is now celebrating a new beginning in life, was also in attendance.