Orland Park Centennial School Walkathon Finishes in First Place for the Treasure Chest Foundation

On Friday, May 6th in Orland Park, the kids of Centennial School gathered to launch the Centennial Walkathon to benefit the Treasure Chest Foundation. After the last participant had crossed the finish line, an impressive $3,400 had been raised on behalf of brave children and teens battling cancer.

District 135 Centennial School’s mission is that, in a safe environment, all students will be prepared to meet the challenges of the future. Learning is enhanced when the school community models and instills responsible citizenship, ethical behavior and respect for all.

When asked about her motivation for having the event, School Board Treasurer Abeer Abdeen said, "Anything to help children going through cancer treatment to be happy and to make it just a bit easier for them."

CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel said, “The Treasure Chest Foundation is grateful to everyone for their dedication and support and wishes to thank all of the participants for making the Centennial Walkathon a tremendous success.”

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. CEO Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Colleen discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain. Martin celebrated his 23rd 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.