Evergreen Park students show their giving spirit
What started as a goal to make sure every first grade student in Evergreen Park has a new book to read over winter break has become a fun holiday tradition for both the Evergreen Park Community High School Service Club members who volunteer and the kids who get the books.
The students visited Evergreen Park’s grade schools before winter break to deliver wrapped children’s books as part of the annual “Book Buddies” project.
Senior Mariana Ferreira and junior Julianna Black visited the first grade classes at Northeast and Southeast elementary schools, while seniors Denisa Neda and Karina Moctezuma went to Southwest, Northwest and Most Holy Redeemer.
The high school students not only delivered a book to every first grader at school those days, but sat down and read one to them as well.
“The kids are always so receptive,” said Tina Ward, media specialist at EPCHS.
“This has become one of our favorite things. It’s well-received by all.”
Having the books wrapped like presents adds a layer of excitement for the younger kids, Ward added, with the visit more akin to opening a new gift on Christmas. This year, about 200 books were gifted as part of the project.
Ward said she and EPCHS library assistant Karen Hewitt came up with the Book Buddies idea in 2018 because “we wanted every kid to have a new book to open on Christmas.”
It also answered a staff challenge to come up with new ways to connect with District 124 schools, and promotes literacy in the process.
Tinley Park effort overflows with toys
A toy drive hosted by the Tinley Park Park District to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation brought in “hundreds of toys,” according to Park District marketing manager Carol Bradtke.
“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our patrons during our toy drive,” she said in a release. “The overflowing collection boxes had to be emptied multiple times.”
The Park District had toy collection boxes at both Bettenhausen Recreation Center and Tinley Fitness from Nov. 22 through Dec. 17. The drive wrapped up on Dec. 18 with the Tinley Fitness Zumbathon, where participants donated $340 in $5 gift cards for the teens served by the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, Tinley Fitness manager Jennifer Williams said.
The Treasure Chest collects and distributes toys and gift cards to children and teens who are undergoing cancer treatments at 63 hospitals in 20 states, including 10 in the Chicago area.
Marist High opens new ice skating rink
Marist High School’s new ice skating rink will be open to everyone from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 3 to 10, if weather permits. The Marist Redhawk Rink is located on Red and White Field, where families can skate “under the lights,” a release from the school stated, while experiencing holiday décor and festive music.
Admission is $5, with skate rental available for an additional $5. Cash only is accepted, and face masks are required in the indoor skate rental area. Limited concessions, including pizza and hot chocolate, will be available for purchase at the rink, 4200 West 115th St., Chicago.
The Marist Redhawk Rink can also be rented for private events. More information is at www.marist.net.
Palos students donate to Ronald McDonald House
Members of the Palos 118 East Elementary Student Council assembled treat bags in December as part of a preholiday community service project.
Student Council adviser Cathy Casey said the goody bags, which included treats, snacks, and water, were donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn. She said the students came in before the start of school in December to assemble the bags, eventually assembling eight boxes of donations.