Neighbor News
Treasure Chest Foundation Receives Semi-Truckload of Mattel Toys from Anonymous Donor
Treasure Chest employee Martin Kisel (on forklift) and volunteer Steven Wasylik unload nine pallets of the anonymous donation of toys.
The employees of the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation were delighted when a semi-truck pulled up to their warehouse with a load of Mattel toys. The bewildered but appreciative staff members and volunteers were amazed when the driver opened the truck to reveal 9 pallets full of toys valued at $13,000. During the past three years the anonymous donor has sent 36 pallets of toys to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.
Could this incredible delivery have been yet another kind act by that famous inhabitant of the North Pole? You know the big guy with the red suit and the long, white beard? To this day the gracious donor remains anonymous, but for those who TRULY believe . . .Thanks to his . . . or her kindness, hundreds of children and teens who have struggled in their battle against childhood cancer found a reason to smile during the holiday season.
Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel said, “We feel so blessed and honored to have the support from this anonymous donor. The donation will help support thousands of children and teens who endure years and years of unending cancer treatments by rewarding the little ones with a toy, gift or gift card after every procedure.”
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The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 9,300 young cancer patients each month in 49 hospitals across 17 states. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. Ms. Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. She 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 22nd anniversary of remission from the disease in 2015.
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.
