Plainfield Fifth Grader Raises $5K for Sick Kids

Submitted by Plainfield School District 202

Photo 1: Maddy Veghts poses with her cart of toys for children at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Veghts’ Koins for Kids campaign raised $5,000 between March 7 and March 14, 2016 from several District 202 schools and local businesses. The toys will be given to children at the hospital who are fighting critical illness. Veghts lost her brother Nicholas to cancer in 2012.

Photo 2: Students in Janice Carpentier’s fifth-grade class at Central Elementary School class helped Maddy Veghts pick up Koins for Kids donations jars around the school from March 7 to March 14, 2016. Veghts’ campaign raised $5,000 to buy toys for children battling critical illness at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Veghts brother Nicholas, who passed away in 2012, was treated for cancer at Comer. Pictured in the photo (top row from left) Audrey Dennis, Maddy Veghts, Luke Osipczuk, Kaleigh Ensworth, and Alyssa Bonomo; (front row from left) Rachel Tang, Tanner Torri, Jorgen Nelson, and Abby DeGrado.

PLAINFIELD, IL — A Central Elementary School fifth grader raised $5,000 to buy toys for children battling critical illness at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

Maddy Veghts, who lost her brother Nicholas to cancer in 2012, ran her Koins for Kids fundraiser from March 7 to March 14, 2016.

The Veghts family spent a lot of time at Comer where Nicholas was being treated, and the family gives back to the facility regularly through its nonprofit Team Nicholas.

Koins for Kids donation jars were set up at Central and Grand Prairie elementary schools, Plainfield Academy, Stageplay Musical Theatre For Kids, White Satin Bridal and the District 202 administration center.

Of the $5,000 raised, $1,977 came from Central Elementary. Veghts and some helpers from her fifth-grade class used a wagon to gather the donations from each room at Central.

“Maddy’s ‘pay it forward’ attitude and passion inspires our whole community,” said Linda DiLeo, principal at Central Elementary. “She is proof that children can do great things.”

Maddy’s fifth-grade teacher Janice Carpentier said Maddy is a hard worker and a wonderful role model.

“Maddy always looks out for other people,” Carpentier said. “She is an inspiration to all.”

Veghts set a fundraising goal of at least $500. She already bought some toys including Lego sets, dolls and art supplies.