OLV Project to Lift Spirits of Sick Children Now a Nationwide Effort

A project started at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in State College to honor the memory of a young student is now an effort to lift the spirits of pediatric patients in hospitals nationwide.

The Jared Box Project started in 2001 after five-year old OLV student Jared McMullen passed away from an incurable brainstem tumor. Cindy Kolarik, a mother of OLV students at the time, created the project to honor McMullen’s memory and help his fellow students cope with the loss. 

Now every spring students at OLV assemble boxes filled with small gifts, toys, games and activities. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender and are delivered to hospitals. For the first time this year, the project is now in all 50 states and more than 250,000 boxes have been made nationwide.

Locally, OLV collected 246 boxes this year that were distributed at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where McMullen was treated. Mount Nittany Medical Center receives boxes from local Girl Scout Troops, other schools and OLV’s CCD classes.

‘This project is a wonderful way to honor Jared’s memory,’ said OLV Principal Samantha Weakland, ‘And over the years we have received many heartfelt notes from families of the recipients.

Boxes were prepared and child life specialists came on March 18 to collect them and talk to OLV students about the children who would be receiving them.

‘Our students enjoy this project each and every year,’ Weakland said. ‘It’s a great opportunity for them to help local children who are struggling and to see the impact they’re making.