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Post a commentHatboro-Horsham’s Hentschel tries to spark ‘Change for Children’
A Hatboro-Horsham High School student is collecting change to effect change in the lives of children and teens staying at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Junior Kate Hentschel, 16, started the “Change for Children” fundraiser as a way to fund recreational activities geared toward teens in the hospital’s rehabilitation unit.
Kate plans to raise about $500 to purchase books, games, DVDs, magazines, CDs, radios and video games to encourage fun and relaxation after patients’ days in rehabilitation.
So far she has raised about $300 toward her goal.
Inspiration for the endeavor came to Kate at Spark the Wave, a weeklong leadership camp she attended at Villanova University in July.
After the camp, Kate decided to put what she learned about volunteerism and fundraising to work to make a difference in her community.
After clearing the fundraiser with CHOP, Kate distributed donation boxes to banks and businesses throughout Hatboro for individuals to contribute their spare change. In November Kate will collect the boxes and purchase recreational items for the rehabilitation unit at CHOP.
Associate director of community based fundraising for CHOP Tess Boyle is pleased Kate is holding the fundraiser to benefit young patients.
“We are just so thrilled and delighted that Kate is willing to support our patients and families in this way,” Boyle said.
“It’s another part of treating the whole patient and not just their medical needs,” she said.
Boyle thinks adding more recreational activities will help patients keep their mind off of why they are in the hospital.
Currently there are recreational activities available to children and teens in the hospital on each inpatient unit. Boyle said the units are equipped with age-appropriate toys, arts and crafts, and video games, however the supply requires updates from time to time as items are used.
“It’s difficult for patients to be in the hospital for an extended period of time. Because they are just kids, they don’t have the opportunities that other children have, to have fun and play. I think for Katie to appreciate this and be willing to do something to help these patients in any way that she can is wonderful,” Boyle said.
Kate, who was a patient last year on the rehabilitation floor, realized after hours of physical therapy she wanted to find ways to relax.
“Everyone there is just physically and mentally exhausted at the end of the day. Hopefully it will give them inspiration to continue on, because they will have something to look forward to,” Kate said.
Fundraising is a hobby for Kate who hopes to be a pediatric oncologist someday because she enjoys working with kids and helping others.
In addition to her CHOP fundraiser, Kate has volunteered at the Pennypack Elementary School science fair and fall festival and volunteered at a “science in the summer” program at Hatboro’s library.
“I like helping the community, and it just feels good to do something for others. I really appreciate what people have given and would like to thank the community and businesses that have helped and donated,” Kate said.
For more information, e-mail Kate at kate.a.hentschel@gmail.com.
Junior Kate Hentschel, 16, started the “Change for Children” fundraiser as a way to fund recreational activities geared toward teens in the hospital’s rehabilitation unit.
Kate plans to raise about $500 to purchase books, games, DVDs, magazines, CDs, radios and video games to encourage fun and relaxation after patients’ days in rehabilitation.
So far she has raised about $300 toward her goal.
Inspiration for the endeavor came to Kate at Spark the Wave, a weeklong leadership camp she attended at Villanova University in July.
After the camp, Kate decided to put what she learned about volunteerism and fundraising to work to make a difference in her community.
After clearing the fundraiser with CHOP, Kate distributed donation boxes to banks and businesses throughout Hatboro for individuals to contribute their spare change. In November Kate will collect the boxes and purchase recreational items for the rehabilitation unit at CHOP.
Associate director of community based fundraising for CHOP Tess Boyle is pleased Kate is holding the fundraiser to benefit young patients.
“We are just so thrilled and delighted that Kate is willing to support our patients and families in this way,” Boyle said.
“It’s another part of treating the whole patient and not just their medical needs,” she said.
Boyle thinks adding more recreational activities will help patients keep their mind off of why they are in the hospital.
Currently there are recreational activities available to children and teens in the hospital on each inpatient unit. Boyle said the units are equipped with age-appropriate toys, arts and crafts, and video games, however the supply requires updates from time to time as items are used.
“It’s difficult for patients to be in the hospital for an extended period of time. Because they are just kids, they don’t have the opportunities that other children have, to have fun and play. I think for Katie to appreciate this and be willing to do something to help these patients in any way that she can is wonderful,” Boyle said.
Kate, who was a patient last year on the rehabilitation floor, realized after hours of physical therapy she wanted to find ways to relax.
“Everyone there is just physically and mentally exhausted at the end of the day. Hopefully it will give them inspiration to continue on, because they will have something to look forward to,” Kate said.
Fundraising is a hobby for Kate who hopes to be a pediatric oncologist someday because she enjoys working with kids and helping others.
In addition to her CHOP fundraiser, Kate has volunteered at the Pennypack Elementary School science fair and fall festival and volunteered at a “science in the summer” program at Hatboro’s library.
“I like helping the community, and it just feels good to do something for others. I really appreciate what people have given and would like to thank the community and businesses that have helped and donated,” Kate said.
For more information, e-mail Kate at kate.a.hentschel@gmail.com.
