Tinley Park Residents Unique Toy Drive Helps Children with Cancer in Memory of Their Beloved Neighbor

Tinley Park residents Diana and Richard Karasek hosted a creative toy drive in their Terrace Park subdivision with the goal of helping children and teens fighting cancer in memory of their friend and neighbor Len Astrowski. The Karaseks distributed flyers asking their neighbors to leave a new toy on their front porch, with a promise to pick up the toys one week later. After the last toy had been picked up, a truckload of more than 200 toys and gifts as well as $15.00 was donated and delivered to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF) warehouse in Orland Park. The POTCF is a non-profit organization that provides comfort and distraction from painful treatments to children and teens diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy, gift or gift card in 49 hospitals nationwide.

The Karaseks wanted to do something in memory of their good friend Len Astrowski who passed away from cancer. Len was a crossing guard who loved children. Diana Karasek said while delivering their donation, “I just love volunteering and all the people at the Treasure Chest Foundation. Knowing that we’re putting smiles on the children’s faces is all the motivation I need. Richard Karasek added, “I think this organization does a great job by helping the children and teens who are battling cancer by giving toys to make them happy.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel extended her most sincere gratitude to Diana and Richard Karasek for their efforts in organizing their innovative and successful toy drive. “Asking residents to leave a new toy on their front porch was a great idea because no one had to drive anywhere,” said Colleen. “The Karaseks and their neighbors were extremely generous and we are so thankful to be able to distribute such an impressive number of toys to the brave children and teens battling cancer.”

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.