Adding a personal touch

The attention the teens pay to the bags themselves reveals how, in Kayla’s words, “super important” the project is to them. Each bag is embroidered with the group’s logo, a task shared by all the members. Their instructors are FPC teacher Joanne L. Whaley and bookkeeper Linda Longo.

The project is funded by the group’s GoFundMe site and some fundraisers they participated in. Donations of both money and items to put in the bags have also helped.

“It’s just nice that so many different organizations and businesses throughout the community were so willing to give to us, because every little bit helps,” Mia said.

The group’s focus is the hospital’s pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care units. In addition, the teens decorate the neonatal care unit, something they hope to partner with the NASCAR Foundation on in the future.

Last week, the teens met with foundation director of programs Jennifer Quattrocchi and marketing coordinator Peri Karslioglu to explore a possible collaboration. The foundation helps improve the lives of children living in NASCAR racing communities.

Diane Tomko, who teaches the students’ Leadership Community Problem Solvers class, called “Reaching For Relief” a “very caring, very heart-felt project.”

“They’ve really worked hard,” she said. “They’ve had some obstacles; they never gave up.”