SLIPPERY ROCK — Working as a school nurse, Wilma Oman is met with a host of ailments, from fevers to sniffles to stomach aches.

Most of the time, she relies on supplies purchased as part of her school district's budget. But with help from a local women's group, Oman also can help with nonmedical issues encountered in her work.

"Unless you've been there or work in a school, you're not going to realize the need," said Nancy Mowrey, a vice president of the King's Daughters group at Slippery Rock United Methodist Church on Franklin Street.

King's Daughters helps sponsor Oman as one of its service projects, subsidizing efforts not typically covered in a school budget.

Children might arrive at school without socks or in need of dental care, for instance. Or vision might be impaired by uncut hair or broken glasses.

"There is poverty here, and it's severe poverty," said Oman, 54, who divides her time between Slippery Rock Elementary School in Slippery Rock and Har-Mer Elementary in Harrisville.

"There are a lot of agencies that are there to help, but there's not an agency for a child that comes in to school without shoes."

With donations from King's Daughters, Oman can respond to such situations as they arise, without traversing a long, bureaucratic process.

"I can send someone to the outlet malls at lunch," she noted.

As well as donating funds to the cause, King's Daughters stocks Oman's office with socks, clothing and lice shampoo, a potentially costly necessity.

"I will come to work one day and (the secretary) will say, 'The underwear fairy was here,'" Oman said.

"If a student tells me they don't have heat in their house, I can give them a sweat shirt to sleep in."

Mowrey suggested adopting Oman several years ago, when the group was seeking a service project.

"I used to be a school nurse when I lived in Virginia," the 51-year-old Mowrey said, describing how easing hardship is an unofficial part of that job — especially in cases of poverty.

"It's not really in our job description," Oman agreed. "But you are the social worker."

Amy Pritchard, president of the group of about 50, said King's Daughters raises money through dues, annual auctions, a bazaar and pie sale. The local food cupboard and other church and community projects are among their other recipients.

"Everybody talks about 'Outreach, outreach' — What about our community?" Mowrey said, explaining the group's goal of keeping its efforts local.

"So we adopted Wilma."

With King's Daughters funding in hand, Oman's projects have included helping a family whose home burned down and arranging for medical and dental services.

Once dentists and other professionals learn of the need, Oman said many have offered a discount, charging only out-of-pocket costs.

Thankful for their help, Oman also cited gratification at being able to help students and their families.

"I get to be the person to say 'Go to the dentist and it's going to be paid for,'" Oman said.

"I have the privilege of seeing the gratitude and relief in the parents' faces."