National Junior Honor Society students at Falcon Cove Middle School in Weston raised much-needed funds to buy books they’ll likely never read for children most will never know.
Their selfless act resulted in a $5,000 donation to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, money that will replenish books used in the hospital’s bibliotherapy program. The Weston residents raised the funds by selling coupon cards that can be redeemed for Domino’s pizza.
“Bibliotherapy has a special place within the Child Life Zone where books help children understand what they may be going through,” said Kelley Morris, president and CEO of the pediatric facility’s nonprofit foundation. “It’s hard for a four-year-old to understand a cancer diagnosis, for example, so we use therapeutic books to share a story that is similar to what the patient is experiencing.”
The check presentation was the centerpiece of an event that recognized Falcon Cove’s top fundraisers and was attended by students, parents, faculty, and Stella Stringer, advisor to the middle school’s honor society. “Our kids have gifts and talents we encourage them to use to make their South Florida community a better place. Fundraising for the children’s hospital is something they’re happy to do because it helps patients and families going through tough times,” said Stringer.
This is the fifth consecutive year Falcon Cove honor society students have made a $5,000 donation while participating in the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation’s All-Stars program. Previous contributions have supported the pediatric facility’s expansion, helped start the bibliotherapy program, assisted with art therapy, and provided car seats to families of discharged patients that didn’t have their own.
