Bolingbrook Scout Builds and Donates Storage Unit and Rolling Carts to the Treasure Chest Foundation for Eagle Project

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation’s ability to store and distribute over-sized toys has received a tremendous boost, thanks to the tireless work and thoughtfulness of Benjamin Herbert. The 17-year-old Bolingbrook resident recently built a wooden storage unit compartment along with four rolling carts which will serve as a perfect place to store over-sized toys. As a result of Benjamin’s efforts he attained Eagle Scout status, the highest rank attainable by members of the Boy Scouts of America. Benjamin is a member of Bolingbrook Boy Scout Troop 13.

“I chose to do my Eagle Scout project at the Treasure Chest Foundation because this is an organization that is directly making a difference,” said Benjamin. “I have been here on numerous occasions helping others with their Eagle Scout projects, and I feel there isn't a more deserving organization for thousands of miles. The pictures (of the children) that decorate the facility really highlight the purpose of the Foundation: making a difference in their lives,” said Benjamin. Benjamin began planning his project about a year ago. It involved designing the storage unit, securing donations to buy the supplies, budgeting the work and shopping for everything that would be needed. After that was done, he enlisted the aid of several other Scouts from Troop 13 in Bolingbrook to help build the storage unit and rolling carts. All of the construction work was done in Benjamin's garage and took many hours to complete.

The end product is an impressive and functional unit that contains a top shelf for storage, below that a larger area for over-sized toys, and room at the very bottom for easy access to two rolling carts. The two remaining rolling carts will be used to store much needed seasonal supplies and additional over-sized toys. All over-sized toys are generally too big to pack and mail off in a box and therefore are hand-delivered by Foundation volunteers who drive the toys to area Children's Cancer Treatment Centers.

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel said, “One of our greatest blessings has been the help of up and coming Eagle Scouts like Benjamin Herbert. Our second floor was a disaster, but with his gift we now have a highly organized system of storing over-sized toys, especially the ones that seem to come in all at once during the holidays. Words can't express our gratitude for this wonderful idea and we wish to thank Benjamin and all of the Bolingbrook Troop 13 Boy Scouts who contributed to the success of this project.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 13,500 young cancer patients each month in 18 states across the nation. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Ms. Kisel discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain, noting that when children are diagnosed with cancer their world soon becomes filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 24th anniversary of remission from the disease earlier this year.

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s web site at www.treasurechest.org.

Photo 1: (l-r): Bolingbrook Boy Scouts Jacob McGee and Benjamin Herbert flash the smiles that come with the knowledge they've helped a worthy cause as they install a wooden storage unit and rolling carts at the Treasure Chest Foundation's Orland Park warehouse.

Photo 2: 17-year-old Benjamin Herbert (right) proudly displays the newly constructed rolling carts he designed and built to help the Treasure Chest Foundation store over-sized toys. Fellow scout Jacob McGee (left) and Benjamin's father helped prepare the carts for delivery to the Treasure Chest Foundation's warehouse in Orland Park.