Gary and Laurie Rairdon honor their son’s passion for nursing by raising funds for the Matthew Rairdon ’13 Memorial Scholarship.
When Matthew Rairdon’s life ended tragically in 2013—the same year he graduated from the College and got a job as a nurse in the emergency room of Mercy Hospital in Portland—his family rallied supporters to kick off the Westbrook Strong 5K, a walk/jog/run event in downtown Westbrook, Maine, that was held this summer on July 18 for its second year.
The 5K, which saw 354 participants this year, raises funds for the Matthew Rairdon ’13 Memorial Scholarship, a fund that recognizes a nursing student from Maine who has the same passion that Matt had for his profession.
This year, despite passing storms on race day, the 5K raised nearly $17,000 to support the endowed scholarship, ensuring that Matt’s legacy and passion for nursing will continue. To date, the endowment has grown to over $53,000 in a mere 18 months. In gathering hundreds of friends, family members, classmates, neighbors, and SJC alumni, Westbrook Strong has given comfort to the Rairdon family, while making it possible to invest in the life of nursing majors now and for the future.
