As part of her social impact initiative, Miss Dixie State University Morgan Olson coordinated the “Hospital Heroes: Advocates for Children in Hospitals” service project alongside the Dixie State University Student Association service branch, making comfort items and donating them to children in local hospitals and other health-focused agencies.
Taking place on Oct. 20 as part of DSU’s Homecoming Week, Miss Dixie State and DSUSA Vice President of Service, Katy Johnson, organized the service project to make capes, blankets and activity kits for children. With support from other royalty title holders, the DSUSA service branch and other DSU students, hundreds of items were created and donated to local hospitals and other agencies.
“I love doing service at DSU because it gives my team and me so many opportunities to engage with other students and the community in ways I could have never imagined,” Johnson said.
The created items – including 300 activity kits, 46 fleece blankets, 30 courage capes and 264 handwritten letters – were delivered throughout the week to Dixie Regional Medical Center, Dixie Pediatrics, Canyonland Pediatrics, Imagine Pediatrics, St. George Kids Dental Snow Canyon, Root for Kids and the DOVE Center.
“These donations help to increase patient coping as play is the primary language children use to process the world around them,” Kristen Simmons, child life specialist at Dixie Regional Medical Center, said. “Donated toys and crafting supplies aide in allowing the medical environment to feel safer and allow for some fun. The staff and patients are extremely grateful for the generosity of the community that allows us to provide these items of comfort.”
Due to the cancellation of the Miss Dixie State University competition this year, Olson said she wanted to replace the pageant with a safe, focused initiative to support continued service opportunities at Dixie State University. Olson, who will compete at Miss Utah in June of 2021, says her favorite part of the Miss America organization is service.
“Don’t forget to serve,” Olson said. “Life right now is so hard, confusing and sometimes it’s easier to just ignore it all. Instead, write a simple note to your roommate or coordinate a small service project with your household. You’ll find a newfound energy and the world won’t seem so dim anymore.”
To learn more about Dixie State University, visit utahtech.edu.