South Hills School Creates ‘Jared Boxes’

Students of South Hills School of Business and Technology closed out their semester by creating over 50 “Jared Boxes.”

The boxes, filled with toys, games and art supplies, will be delivered to chronically ill children in hospitals throughout the Centre region.

South Hills School has been involved with The Jared Box Project since its inception in 2001. Their students have enjoyed participating in this project, as the gift boxes provide fun and healthy diversions as medical treatment is being administered, lifting the spirits of young children who are in the hospital or emergency room.

The foundation was started by the children at Our Lady of Victory School of State College, in honor of a classmate who endured many hospital visits while battling cancer.

Cindy Kolarik, one of the founders of The Jared Box Project, said: “Thanks to places like South Hills, this has become so much more than toys in a box for kids. The individually created gift boxes help bring family laughter and smiles into the hospital setting.”

The boxes often carry a personalized message from the donors to the children.

Since the project started, Kolarik estimates that over 65,000 Jared Boxes have been distributed in over 39 states. The organization’s mission has been shared with such success that international groups have even been formed in Mexico and Lebanon to reach hospitalized children.

“Churches, businesses and even college baseball teams have grouped together to create gift boxes,” Kolarik said. “Jared Boxes can also become an alternative to traditional Christmas and birthday gift exchanges, and everyone comes out being positively affected by the interchange.”