A Centre County nonprofit organization that works to bring joy and hope to children in hospitals throughout the country has reached a major milestone.
The Jared Box Project recently surpassed 1 million packages of gifts, toys, games and other activities made by volunteers. Jared Boxes have been made in all 50 states and given to children in more than 500 hospitals.
Boxes are made by community groups and given to children in emergency rooms, hospital rooms, surgical centers and clinics.
The project began in 2001 at Our Lady of Victory School in State College as a way for children to honor classmate Jared McMullen, who was diagnosed with an incurable brain stem tumor at age 5 in 1999. He brought a backpack full of toys and games to all of his medical appointments and shared them with other children.
Jared died in November 2000, but the inspiration he gave to others has lived on. His classmates initially made 81 Jared Boxes for children at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville. Soon after, other community groups started making Jared Boxes and the project has been going strong for more than two decades and counting.
A “One Million Smiles Celebration” will be held on from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Our Lady of Victory School’s gym, 800 Westerly Parkway, State College. The event, which will be free and open to the public, will include many activities and the opportunity to make Jared Boxes on site.
“Just imagine, 1 million smiles, all inspired by the kindness of one little boy. It truly is such a beautiful story that showcases the kindness of others,” Cindy Kolarik, executive director of The Jared Box Project, said in a statement. “We felt it was important to commemorate this extraordinary milestone with a celebration. While thousands of volunteers from across the country played a part in this joyous achievement and Jared Box is nationally recognized, we felt it was important to revisit where it all began—at Jared’s elementary school.”
