Homer Glen Teen Hosts "Toyless" Toy Drive for Children and Teens with Cancer

While many teenage boys spend time with various forms of social media and texting their friends, 16-year-old Homer Glen resident Ben Belczak recently spent his time in a more charitable pursuit: he hosted a “toyless” toy drive in memory of his beloved grandfather, Frank Pastorek, to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF). The Orland Park-based, non-profit organization provides toys and gift cards to childhood cancer patients across the nation.

When the last donation had been collected, Ben had raised an impressive $825 in cash and $45 in gift cards for children and teens fighting cancer. And despite the fact that Ben’s unique approach centered on collecting money and gift cards, his contributors saw fit to include a few toys as well. After all, this was a toy drive.

“Ben’s idea was creative, unique and admirable for a person of any age, and will result in distraction from pain and discomfort for brave young cancer patients,” said an appreciative Collen Kisel, the Founder and CEO of the Treasure Chest Foundation. “The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful to Ben for these donations. Just look at what one teen can do by hosting a successful and very unique “toyless” toy drive. While most of our efforts during the annual holiday toy drive season focus on collecting toys, Ben’s innovative effort will provide critical funding to help us pursue our mission of putting smiles on the faces of childhood cancer patients.”

“It felt good to organize a “toyless” toy drive in memory of my grandfather and to help the Treasure Chest Foundation,” Ben said. “I’m happy to contribute to such a worthy cause and I hope the donations will have a positive impact.”

The not-for-profit Treasure Chest Foundation now supports more than 9,300 children and teens each month who are diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy or gift card in 49 hospitals nationwide. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. Ms. Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. She discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain. Martin celebrated his 22nd anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2015.

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 caption:

16-year-old Homer Glen resident Ben Belczak stopped by the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Orland Park warehouse to drop off the cash, gift cards and toys he collected during his innovative holiday toy drive. The donations will help provide smiles of joy to brave childhood cancer patients nationwide.