Children and families served by Franciscan Health Olympia Fields got a boost from other local kids this spring thanks to fundraisers at local Catholic schools.
Students at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Infant Jesus of Prague School in Flossmoor and St. Agnes School in Chicago Heights all raised funds to support the Catholic healthcare ministry’s efforts to care for some of its youngest patients and their families.
“We are so grateful for our community partners who help us take care of the most vulnerable in our community,” Franciscan Health Foundation Executive Director Laurie Crosby said. “We would not be able to do this alone, so the support from the schools and other community partners is essential.”
Charlotte Kelly, interim principal at Infant Jesus of Prague School, is a member of the Franciscan Health Foundation Board of Directors and a member of the Circle of 1875, a women’s giving circle dedicated to supporting Franciscan’s mission and programs in the community.
The Circle chose a pediatric sensory room at the new Franciscan Health Outpatient Therapy Homewood at 18428 Governors Highway for its first project in 2024, but the funding fell short for some other supplies, like toys.
Infant Jesus of Prague students helped raise funds to purchase those items with a student Penny Wars challenge during Catholic Schools Week earlier this year. Students brought in pennies to fill their jars and support their own groups’ efforts and could sabotage other groups by adding silver change to their jars.
The students raised a total of roughly $350, Kelly said.
“They definitely knew it was for a pediatric center, a place for kids who aren’t as mobile as they are and need some help,” Kelly said. “Our alumni tell us they really got the idea of the importance of service to others while they were here and I think fundraisers like this one really help instill that in our students at a young age.”
Nora Zerante, assistant principal at Marian Catholic High School, said student council members sold cookies during the lunch hour throughout Catholic Schools Week and raised $1,000 to help purchase toys for the pediatric outpatient therapy location in Homewood as well.
“We really focus on service outside of ourselves during Catholic Schools Week,” Zerante said. “Part of our core foundation is ethical responsibility and Christian service. We celebrate ourselves and our values, which include giving back to our communities.”
Students at St. Agnes School raised $1,400 during Lent for new mothers and babies in need served by Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. St. Agnes Principal Matt Lungaro said students donated their own money and asked friends and family to contribute as well.
“Many of our students raised money by giving from their own allowance and asking members of their family to donate to this cause,” Lungaro said. “One of our first graders raised over $100 by asking his aunts and uncles for money, ‘so the moms can get diapers for their babies.’ We are very proud of them for their generosity.”
Anyone interested in contributing to programs supported by the Franciscan Health Foundation may do so online or by calling (708) 852-2430. Information about joining the Foundation’s Circle of 1875 is available at the same number.
