A special project undertaken by ten members of the Hutchinson High School Student Council has brightened the lives of 50 pediatric patients at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
Alisha Jester, Student Council faculty representative for Hutchinson High School, said the organization was successful in an application to the Hutchinson Community Foundation for a $500 Youth Philanthropy Grant with the funds earmarked for a special project for pediatric patients at the hospital.
Jester said the students used the funds to make up what they called “Heartfelt Comfort Bags,” the contents of which included blankets, coloring books, toys and socks for donation to the pediatric patients.
The students worked weekends and after school to shop and stuff the bags and when all was said and done, they had 50 bags for donation for the young hospital patients.
“Students commented to me that while shopping for the bags was fun, it was difficult to find cool stuff on a budget,” Jester said. “Getting to visit with the kids when we delivered the bags was heartbreaking, as little kids aren’t supposed to get sick.”
“Personally, I think projects like these are great experiences for the kids to have and many times an eye-opener to things going on outside their safe little worlds,” Jester continued.
Kevin Miller, F.A.C.H.E., President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, commended the Student Council and their faculty sponsors for their innovative thinking to do something special for hospitalized children.
“No one enjoys being hospitalized, especially young children, and our healthcare professionals work 24/7 to create an environment that will make their stay as comfortable as is possible,” Miller said. “Thanks to Student Council members at Hutchinson High School, the pediatric patients at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center know that the community is pulling for their recovery.”