Girard Senior Collects Donations for Akron Children’s Hospital

GIRARD, Ohio – For the past month, Girard High School senior Kylie Carpenter has been collecting crayons, coloring books and monetary contributions as part of her Crayons for Kids drive for Akron Children’s Hospital.

On Monday, Carpenter turned in those donations with the amount exceeding her expectations. 

Her efforts collected 715 goodie bags, each containing crayons and coloring books, along with boxes of construction paper, art supplies, board games and a $1,000 check for the children’s activity room.

“This entire project has been both exciting and, at times, overwhelming,” Carpenter said. “Now, finally realizing what I have accomplished makes me recognize how blessed I am to have a community that supports me.”

Akron Children’s Hospital planned a Halloween party for its residents, with every child in the hospital receiving a gift because of the collection.

Emma Barber, an office coordinator with Akron Children’s Hospital, said the Crayons for Kids fundraiser provided the hospital with backup supplies so that as new patients enter the hospital, they will have coloring books and games.

“I knew I was performing a kind deed for the children, but witnessing the joy of the staff members when I delivered everything gave it a whole new dimension,” Carpenter said. “It put my entire project into a new perspective, realizing they also benefited from this.” 

Carpenter thanked the Girard community.

“When I initially began this, my goal was to assemble 500 bags and secure $1,000 in monetary donations,” she said. “I thought it was a bit of a stretch at the time, but I hoped I could achieve it. Surpassing more than double what I had initially hoped for has truly been a blessing.”

Carpenter witnessed the care Akron Children’s Hospital doctors and staff provided during her brother’s concussion treatment and wanted to give back. 

Pictured at top: Girard High School senior Kylie Carpenter delivers donations to Akron Children’s Hospital.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.