Mount Carmel Kindergarten helping Casey Cares Foundation

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Kindergarten students have stepped up to collect pajamas for the Casey Cares Foundation in honor of Grant Holland, a friend of a Mount Carmel family, who was diagnosed with leukemia in July.

Mrs. Mary Rocks and Mrs. Kelly Medvigy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel school were looking for a way to give the kindergarten students a concrete activity to tie into the visit of Pope Francis. After knowing Grant's story, Mrs. Medvigy asked his family what they could do to help him and other children like Grant. The Kami's Jammies program was an easy and familiar way for kindergartners to reach out to the community and help children that were the same age as them.

"We tied the Pajama Drive into both Pope Francis' visit to the United States and the Feast of St. Francis," said Mrs. Medvigy. "We talked with the kindergarten students about how God wants us to help others and how St. Francis loved and took care of all of God's creations, both animals and people. We shared Grant's story and photos, so the students felt connected to the cause."

The Kami's Jammies Program provides new sleepwear and themed pajama parties to pediatric patients at several local hospitals. Inspired in memory of a Casey Cares child, Kamryn, the program helps children feeel more at home in an otherwise sterile environment.

"It's nice to help other kids," said student Grayson Medvigy. "I had fun pucking out the pajamas and I hope it makes other kids feel better."

The Casey Cares Foundation provides ongoing, uplifting programs with a special touch to critically ill children and their families. To learn more about Kami's Jammies and other programs, please visit their website at http://www.caseycares.org