Mary Jolly lived her life answering the call to help others, always putting their needs above her own. As a dedicated paramedic, she touched countless lives with her compassion, courage, and selflessness. In every emergency, Mary brought not only her medical skills but also a calming presence and a kind heart. She was the person you wanted by your side in your most vulnerable moments.

The impact Mary had on her community is reflected in the words of those she helped. One person shared, “She was so good to me when I was in my wreck. She kept me calm. Thank you again. We need more people like her.” Another recalled, “Mary was always so kind every time she responded. She never treated me any different, would calm me down over and over again, and never made me feel bad even when my anxiety was through the roof.” A family member of a patient wrote, “She didn't just rush off to the next call, she stayed to make sure my grandma felt secure. There are few people we cross paths with that make such a tremendous impression, but she was one of the rare few.”

To honor Mary’s extraordinary heart for service, I am creating The Jolly Good Samaritan Scholarship. This fund will provide collegiate scholarships to new and aspiring paramedic students at Cleveland Community College or paramedic students from Gaston College. Through this scholarship, I hope to give others the same chance to serve their communities with the strength and kindness that Mary carried so effortlessly. Your support will help ensure that her legacy of compassion continues to touch lives for generations to come. Please join us in keeping Mary’s spirit alive by helping future emergency responders answer the call to serve.

How Donations Will Be Spent

Every donation to this fundraiser will go directly toward:

Annual scholarships for EMT/paramedic students in North Carolina and surrounding areas.

Additional $1,000 grants for students who are currently enrolling or actively pursuing emergency medicine training.

Administrative necessities such as application review, outreach to schools, verification of enrollment, and creating an accessible online application portal.

Expanding the scholarship fund to reach additional programs or offer more awards each year, depending on total funds raised.

No donations will be used for personal expenses.

The funds will be held in a dedicated scholarship account and distributed transparently through the selected educational institutions or directly to students after verification.

This fundraiser exists because I can’t bring my sister back, but I can help others carry on her mission.

Mary tragically lost her life at a young age, but she left behind a legacy of bravery, compassion, and selfless service. The purpose of this scholarship is to:

Keep Mary’s name and memory alive in a meaningful, lasting way.

Support the next generation of paramedics—people who could one day save your family member, neighbor, or friend.

Reduce the financial burden of emergency medical training, which allows more passionate, qualified individuals to enter the field.

Honor the community Mary loved by reinvesting in the people who will protect it.

This fundraiser turns grief into action, and Mary’s story into someone else’s chance to save a life.