EU students prepare donations for hospital

AFTON - A group of East Union students are looking to care for families facing stressful periods of their lives.

Over the past few weeks, the group has been collecting donations to be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House, a charity which works with hospitals to help provide families with necessities during extended stays at children’s hospitals. The students will deliver donations to the hospital and prepare a meal for families during a visit to the charity’s Des Moines locations on Nov. 6.

The charity began 50 years ago in 1974. Families with children undergoing serious medical treatment can find themselves displaced from home in order to receive the treatment they need.

Jean Kinyon, the teacher overseeing the student’s efforts, had a personal experience with the charity. She had spent time in the hospital in 1998 after her son Brogan became ill and witnessed firsthand how the kindness of others helps people. She describes her efforts now as “paying back” the services she received.

The service project is a yearly tradition for students in Kinyon’s class, with this year being led by senior Cora McNeill. The students created a wishlist of items for those looking to donate and help organize donations for delivery.

Kinyon gave praise to McNeill for how she has handled the project. “This one is going well, because of the great support Cora is giving it,” she said. “She’s working hard.”

McNeill described an idea she presented to her classmates for making hand-knit blankets. After pitching the idea, she learned how to knit at home and began making blankets all by herself.

“She learned how to do it at home, and then she came here and taught me how to do it,” Kinyon said.

If the class doesn’t finish the blankets before their trip to the hospital, Kinyon said they’ll continue to work on them for a later delivery.

RMH works within two hospitals in central Iowa, one in the Blank Children’s Hospital, and the other in MercyOne Children’s Hospital.

In terms of the most-requested items, McNeill said gift cards to grocery stores and restaurants were the best for families, as it allows them freedom to purchase what they need to continue living comfortably.

Alongside donations, the students will also help cook meals for families during their visit to the hospital. They’ve dedicated time to learning and preparing how to cook chili, potato soup and, for dessert, brownies during their preparation for their trip.

“I think it’s really nice to be helping out, especially for really young kids who are in need of help, or the families. It can feel hopeless sometimes, so I like helping them out,” said McNeill.

Donations can be delivered at either the elementary or secondary office at East Union, or delivered to The Roost at 101 E. Kansas St. The group will be collecting donations until Nov. 5, the day before the trip to the hospital.

Items labeled as “most needed” include: paper towels, laundry detergent pods, coffee k-cups, granola bars, swiffer wet pads, bleach, coffeemate coffee creamer cups, single serving bags of chips, cracker/cookie packs and cereal boxes, fruit cups, shaving cream, hairbrushes, baby shampoo, baby onesies, postage stamps, and gift cards.

Other items include hygiene products like shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, hand soap, diapers, and disposable gloves. For food products, RMHC recommends smaller quantities, especially for perishable items.