Treasure Chest Foundation Hosts Appreciation Luncheon for Volunteers

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation honored Pirates of the Foundation volunteers. The Foundation recognized volunteers at a luncheon on August 30th at the Orland Park headquarters.

The Pirates of the Foundation volunteers provided hundreds of hours-of-service planning and executing the outdoor fundraiser held on August 6, 2022. The purpose of the luncheon was to recognize and celebrate the volunteers who serve with compassion and dedication.

The luncheon was provided by board member Paul Maiellaro who donated ten pizzas, appetizers and desserts.

“Volunteers are the most important part of our Foundation,” says Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel, “Without our volunteers, we would never be able to provide smiles of joy to thousands of pediatric cancer patients every month. We are so grateful for this core group whose assistance helped bring in more than $9,000 during the Pirates of the Foundation fundraiser.

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 15,700 young cancer patients in 65 cancer treatment centers in 21 states across the nation and in the District of Columbia. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Ms. Kisel discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain, noting that when children are diagnosed with cancer their world soon becomes filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 29th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of this year.

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 1-708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s website at www.treasurechest.org.