Franciscan Health Patients Get Gifts from Rich South Students

Being kind is not something the students at Rich South High School take lightly.

The Richton Park high school’s entire student body participated in several team building and service projects at its annual Kindness Day, which included making care packages for a variety of people. Some recipients of those care packages included pediatric in-patients at Franciscan Health Chicago Heights.

More than 100 pediatric care packages, which included a Highlights activity book, hand sanitizer, an apple sauce pouch, small toys for crafts, stickers and a granola bar, were delivered to the hospital by Amy McDonagh. a Rich South Language Arts teacher.

“In 2016, Rich South was presented with an opportunity to have Leon Logothetis, the author of Kindness Diaries, speak to our students about the power of kindness,” McDonagh said. “As a result, we added a team building and service project component. The team building activity was added to help our student’s foster empathy and kindness for one another. The service project was added to show students how powerful it can be to give back. The impact, not only on the community, but also on the students, has been amazing.”

This is the second year that Franciscan Health Chicago Heights pediatric patients have received Kindness Day care packages. Franciscan Health Pediatric Nurse Manager, Krystel Raheem, was, again, delighted to present the care packages to the pediatric patients. “

They all really appreciated receiving them while having to suffer through a hospital stay” said Raheem. “The nurses appreciate them too because it helps put a smile on the kids’ faces.”

Photo Caption:

Krystel Raheem, RN, Franciscan Health Pediatric Manager (left) accepts delivery of more than 100 care package for pediatric patients from Rich South Language Arts teacher Amy McDonagh and Franciscan Health Foundation Development Associate Laurie Crosby.