Palos Park Couple Deliver Smiles of Joy to Children Fighting Cancer

Herb and Janice Walker of Palos Park believe in supporting children and teens fighting cancer. Every month the couple along with their family pet Sammy deliver more than 140 pounds of toys to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield to benefit the Treasure Chest Foundation.

When asked about delivering the toys, Herb Walker said, “This is a great charity that puts smiles on the faces of children who are fighting cancer. We are happy to help by delivering toys for a good cause.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel said, “This is an enormous donation as the cost of shipping has skyrocketed over the years. The Walkers will save the Treasure Chest Foundation hundreds of dollars monthly on the cost of shipping.”

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.