Tinley Park Resident Donates Gifts to Children and Teens Fighting Cancer in Memory of His Beloved Wife

The family and friends of Tinley Park resident Scott Howard are giving to children and teens fighting cancer in memory of Scott’s beloved wife Patty Howard. Scott asked family and friends to bring a toy or gift donation to the Howard Family annual picnic in memory of his beloved wife Patty Howard. The picnic was hosted at Volunteer Park in Tinley Park. When the picnic was over, Scott accumulated more than 215 toys, gifts and $175 to donate to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

Scott Howard said “These gifts in memory of Patty will put a smile on a little ones face. With sadness and pain joy will come.”

“The support of the Howard family and friends is a wonderful act of love and kindness and will help so many children and teens fighting cancer.” said Colleen Kisel, Founder and CEO of the Treasure Chest Foundation. “Last month we helped more than 9300 kids.”

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.