Oak Forest HS Clubs Collect Toys for Treasure Chest Foundation

The Oak Forest High School Snowball Club and Rotary-Interact Club joined forces to collect toy donations for the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. The drive ran through December 15 and this year, the Oak Forest High School community collected an overwhelming 1,522 toys and gift cards. Last year, OFHS 1,467 toys were collected.

Oak Forest High School has collected so many toys that they helped to build toy chests in many locations, including Hope Children’s Hospital. Since the creation of the toy drive in 2003, OFHS has remained the top leader in toy donations for this cause, something that Snowball Adviser Ken Valiska is very proud of. “OFHS students and staff have a golden opportunity to keep the chest filled with toys.” said Mr. Valiska. The Oak Forest High School community has always risen to the challenge because of their big hearts!

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation was created by Oak Forest resident Colleen Kisel after her son Marty (a former OFHS student) was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of seven. Colleen found that when Marty had to undergo a painful procedure like a spinal tap or a bone marrow aspiration, a small toy would provide comfort and distraction during the procedure.

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation is an organization that stores these donated toys until they are needed to help innocent children get through their procedures. Pictured with donations are Oak Forest High School's Mr. Valiska and Agustin Tilca, Maggie Swinford, Jordan Ahlgrim, Brittany Sanders, OFHS Alumna Rachel Greenhill, Hailey Gula, Vincent Sifuentez, Zach Kuh, Liam Weaver, Andrew Rosalez, OFHS Alumna Cassie Greenhill, Elizabeth Tecaxco, and Sarah Florek.