“
I was so inspired. I went to Campus
Ministry and said, ‘I want to do something.
I want to do something big and make a
difference’.
”
MARIA SANSOM
Nursing
How often do you see college students using their precious free
time giving back to people who need it most? At GMercyU, it’s
more common than you’d think.
Take recent Class of 2019 graduate, Maria Sansom, who earned
her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May. Between juggling
her nursing studies, extracurriculars, and service activities,
Maria still managed to find time to start her own charitable
organization.
When Maria participated in GMercyU’s Alternative Spring
Break (ASB) trip in Cincinnati, Ohio, she had an eye-opening
experience that changed her life. Her group worked in numerous
shelters for mothers, children, and families who were survivors
of domestic abuse and other dire situations. Maria was struck
by the plight of the families she encountered, and when she
returned home, she realized there were families in her own
backyard who needed help.
“I was so inspired. I went to Campus Ministry and said, ‘I
want to do something. I want to do something big and make a
difference’,” Maria said.
Maria worked diligently with Campus Ministry to come up with
something she could do to make a difference in our community,
and thus, Baby Bundles was born. The mission of Baby Bundles
is to ensure and restore dignity and hope to expectant mothers,
especially those on the margins of society.
granted, but that the “bundles” are packaged and presented
beautifully. She insists that just because someone might be
poor, it doesn’t mean that each new life shouldn’t be celebrated
with joy and honor. Maria aims to support these mothers during
their vulnerable times while showing them that their community
cares.
“If you put in the hard work, you’re going to see the results and
you’re going to be able to achieve your dreams,” Maria said.
The number of Baby Bundles Maria has created and the
lives she has touched is impossible to count. She has even
transformed a room in her house into a mini-warehouse and
has recruited family, friends, and fellow GMercyU Griffins as
volunteers. She has truly followed in the footsteps of Catherine
McAuley, who met needs in very practical, yet caring and
meaningful, ways.
For her service contributions both on and off campus, Maria
was honored with the 2019 Alumni Award for Outstanding
Undergraduate Student, which is awarded annually at
GMercyU’s Honors Convocation. Since graduating, Maria has
successfully passed the National Council Licensure Examination
(NCLEX) and has accepted a full-time nursing position with the
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Embracing GMercyU’s core value of Respect for the Dignity of
Each Person, Maria created a program that not only ensures
mothers are receiving the necessities that so many take for
TODAY
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