Early Childhood Education juniors, as part of their FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) Chapter, are giving back in a beautiful way this winter.
“During the month of February, our JVS preschool students are learning about giving back in our community, and our high school student teachers have planned events to challenge students to become involved, have fun, and care about others,” shared Hilary Duffala, JVS Early Childhood Education junior instructor.
This year, the FCCLA Chapter is involved with McKenna’s Squad, an organization that gives beauty boxes to children and teenagers who are battling cancer and other childhood illnesses.
“The McKenna’s Squad started from McKenna Schummer, a young girl who had cancer and really enjoyed doing makeup, and getting makeup boxes during her time in the hospital,” shared Veronica Janosik, Early Childhood Education junior from Amherst. “It gave her something to focus on and distracted her from her treatments.”
The boxes were
designed and brought to life sadly after McKenna passed away, but her dream is
now a reality and lives on.
According to Emma
Hickman, Early Childhood Education junior from Midview, each box contains
beauty items; such as makeup and self-care items to help teenagers feel better
about themselves as they are going through treatments.
“Items in the box range from nail polish, makeup, lip gloss, and headbands; to deodorant, cologne and even some decks of cards,” said Haleigh Polen, Early Childhood Education junior from Wellington. “Boxes are made for both boys and girls.”
“We decorated boxes and gave them to every career tech program in the building for students to donate items,” explain Hickman. “We held a competition for who brought in the most items, and the winning program will get a pizza party. The Sports, Health and Fitness Technology senior class won. We also set up a donation table at our annual JVS Open House this past January.”
During the fundraiser, students collected more than 800 items. All items collected will be sent to McKenna’s Squad Beauty Box Inc. in Michigan, where all the boxes are assembled.
The fundraiser was also extended to the JVS preschoolers and their families. For bringing in over 100 items, these “littles” were pampered for a morning at a princess and pirate spa day at the JVS salon.
“I really liked this project,” said Polen. “It makes me feel good to be helping people who are sick, and to know we are brightening their day a little.”