Another month – another great project by Creatively Caring: Jared Boxes. It is amazing how these people come up with ideas and ways to help local causes. I honestly love when help by a community goes back into the community and you can see happy faces of people touched by the project and attention.
Photo Credit: http://triblocal.com/northbrook
A year ago first grader Bryan was attending a summer day camp, where he was accidentally kicked while swimming and experienced stomach pains and vomiting. At first,they thought his appendix had burst, but doctors said a tumor on his kidney the size of an orange had ruptured. He was air-lifted to the University of Chicago Hospital and diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney cancer. Over the course of six months, Ryan underwent numerous treatments, but he only missed about 18 days of school. In February, Ryan and his family found out that his disease was finally in remission.
Creatively Caring organized Jared Boxes project for the kids at Comer Children’s Hospital where Ryan has been undergoing his treatment.
This event received an amazing support from the community members – families from the surrounding towns brought different items for the shoe boxes and kids got to fill and decorate the boxes.
See this video on YouTube at http://youtu.be/WeW13u74G70
The goal of the Jared Box Project (called after a brave little boy, who lost his life to cancer in 2000 at the age of 5) is to lift the spirits of chronically ill children. The boxes symbolize the importance of play and are filled with well wishes, hope, and love. A Jared Box is a shoebox size plastic storage box filled with small gifts, toys, cards, and games. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender. The boxes are delivered to hospitals and are given to chronically ill children. The Jared Boxes provide a special diversion for young patients as they receive chemotherapy and other medical treatments.
After all the boxes were assembled, Ryan and his family personally delivered them to the Comer Children’s Hospital.
Creatively Caring works with local businesses and non-profit organizations to enrich our community through fun, family service projects. Families with children of all ages are encouraged to participate in our projects which help people, animals and the environment.
Nibbles Play Cafe (Wheeling, IL) is a fusion of cafe and kids indoor play place, where adults can relax and young children keep busy in imaginative play! Nibbles has committed to support community and its members.
What a wonderful way to give back! I love this!
That’s so great to see a company giving back! Such a great cause 🙂
What a great project, cause, and idea! Ryan has an amazing story–who would think an accident could find something like that?! What a lucky boy!
What a fantastic way to help brighten the day of very sick children. Thank you for sharing.
It is so sad when children have to deal with such tough circumstances. I am sure these boxes were a huge blessing!
Love all the creative ways they come up with to help you give back to the community. What a great program. – Katy
I love how you can create something positive out of a negative situation
What a wonderful fantastic touching idea.
I love when company gives back. How great!
Wow this is so moving, I would love to find out about something like this in my community!
What community are you from Jenna? Creatively Caring hosts in all surrounding suburbs. Have an idea for an event in your community, let us know!
Creatively Caring thanks all of you that left such wonderful comments. We try hard to help others “Feel Good-Giving Back”. Our last Jared Box event honoring Ryan was indeed very touching. From watching the children making the boxes, watching Ryan enjoy his own box and knowing what a difference it made to 36 other children at Comer’s! Since that event, Ryan’s mother has asked us to honoring another brave soul!
Please join us at Nibbles Play Cafe in Wheeling on Monday, Nov 5th, from 10am-11:30am as we try to fill 40 Jared Boxes for MIA, a wonderful, high spirited little 2 year old from Deerfield. Mia and her mother, Lisa will be at Nibbles helping us make boxes for her friends at Lurie’s Children’s Hospital, where she is currently being treated for a brain tumor. Mia’s 3rd birthday is on Nov.12th and we have planned a very special day for her at Nibbles! Your admission is also free if you bring a donation for the shoe box sized Jared Boxes. Anything for ages 0-17! No plush, candy or used items please.
Thank you for all your support of the good deeds from Creatively Caring.
Check us out on meetup Creatively Caring Families or online, Creativelycaring.org
Lena,
A very special thanks to you for the awesome video, piece you wrote about Ryan, and dedication to showing us all a Way 2 Good Life!
Grow With Love Boutique was honored to be part of this event by donating over $130 worth of gift items for the Jered Boxes. We are a proud supporter of all Creatively Caring’s efforts.