Congratulations to Heather Greenberg, 20, of Stratford, Wis., recipient of the 2019 Community Service Scholarship. Heather, a nursing student at Viterbo University in Lacrosse, Wisc., wrote a moving essay about her life journey in community service.

On July 4, 2008, Heather’s younger sister, Madison, died. Her sister lived only two years and struggled with medical issues from the onset. That day, the village community of Stratford showed up in support and built a memorial garden for the Greenberg family. That outpouring of support meant the world to the family.

“It is from this experience, that I can understand the impact of community service first-hand,’’ she wrote in her essay. From that point forward, she dedicated herself to helping others.

“For me, service is more than an activity log or a tax deduction, it is a lifestyle,’’ she wrote.

Heather credits her mother, Jessie Greenberg, as a big inspiration as well. Jessie started a “small gifts” program for the mothers at the local neonatal intensive care unit to make small presents, including a handprint of their child. These handprints became even more important for the parents who lost their child.

In middle school, Heather decided to donate blood, a process the future nurse admitted found fascinating for its biological process. But she was too young, and for a long time, too small to meet the blood donation standards. Instead of being discouraged, Heather decided to organize blood drives.  This required her to build relationships with the blood donation centers, business leaders, and the community. Her first blood drive yielded 31 pints of blood, which were distributed to more than 90 patients.

“The blood center was very pleased with this result, as was the local business who hosted the event. In fact, they have now become a regular mobile blood drive site,’’ she wrote.

Read Heather’s winning essay and watch our interview with her.

Newsome | Melton recognizes that community service exposes students to lessons outside the classroom and prepares them for a life of leadership. We started our Community Service Scholarship to help deserving students, like Heather, pay for their college education.

At Newsome | Newsome, we are dedicated to helping people whose lives have been turned upside down by someone else’s negligence. If you think your health or that of a loved one might have been needlessly injured because of medical carelessness, give us a call at (888) 387-2660 for a free consultation.

To apply for the 2020 Community Service Scholarship check our terms and conditions.