Community Corner
District 228 Donates 450 Care Packages to Ronald McDonald House
District 228 high schools collect toiletry care packages for families at Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn.
Oak Forest High School Assistant Principal of Teaching & Learning Mike Boniface called District 228 Public Relations Director Jamie Bonnema in early October and said, "I want to find a way where our school district can support and give back to the community together this holiday season."
Initially, Boniface pitched the thought to volunteer as a District at the Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn. Over the years, various high school teams and clubs across the District have spent time cooking meals at the house, cleaning, or providing other services.
The Ronald McDonald House holds a special place in the hearts of the Oak Forest Bengals and the District because one of its teachers, Mrs. Lauren Brazel, and her family, have benefited from the organization.
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"My family has benefited greatly from the support this organization has offered over the last five years," said Brazel. "From having a room to stay in while my son Frankie received treatments or meals during his stay, Ronald McDonald House has continually provided for my family and others like my family."
For those unfamiliar with the Ronald McDonald House, the charity ensures families can be together while their little ones get better at various hospitals - this includes providing families meals and a place to stay.
Find out what's happening in Oak Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn benefits families who are staying at Advocate Children's Hospital which is located directly across the street.
When Boniface reached out to Ronald McDonald House, he learned that due to COVID, the amount of supplies the organization has been able to provide families has been limited. As a result, Ronald McDonald House requested assistance in replenishing their supplies. Specifically, toiletries for families staying in the house.
Throughout the month of November, District 228 schools (Bremen High School, Tinley Park High School, Hillcrest High School, Oak Forest High School) collected a wide range of supplies through their D228 Cares Drive. Items requested included:
- Travel Size Toothpaste
- Travel Size Mouthwash
- Travel Size Lotions
- Travel Size Hand Sanitizer
- Bottled Water
- Crossword Puzzle Books
- Sudoku Books
- New Magazines
- Single Toothbrushes
- Travel Size Dry Shampoo
- Hair Ties
- Single Serving Snacks
- Protein Bars
- Juice Boxes
- Small Boxes of Cereal
- Travel-Sized Kleenex Packs
- Gum
- Gallon Sized Ziplock Bags
Come November 27th, District 228 had collected enough items to create 450 toiletry care packages for families.
On December 1, Mike Boniface and Lauren Brazel delivered the items to Ronald McDonald House on behalf of the District.
"Mike's idea to volunteer together didn't surprise me," said District Public Relations Director, Jamie Bonnema. "Our schools have good people in them because our communities have good people in them. From food drives to collecting cell phones for soldiers, to holiday card drives, it's sometimes hard for me to keep up with all of the wonderful things our schools are doing on a daily basis. I'm glad that our school district was able to participate in this drive together. I hope it demonstrates how much D228 Cares."
