Mundelein H.S. seeks toys to aid children in Afghanistan
At the field aid station where she works as a physician's assistant in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Capt. Cheri Ponce has helped treat many local children suffering from a variety of maladies.
They come in with broken bones, burns, cuts and other medical problems. And many of them are scared.
"I cannot imagine going to the doctor... and not being able to understand what (the doctors) are saying," Ponce, of downstate Galesburg, said in an e-mail. "We do have interpreters, but I'm not sure the patients completely understand everything."
With help from the Mundelein High School community, Ponce is trying to make the experience a little easier for her young patients.
This month, the school's student leadership group is collecting used toys that will be given to the children Ponce's unit treats.
Unlike traditional Christmastime toy drives, organizers are seeking used toys, particularly small playthings such as Hot Wheels cars and Beanie Baby dolls.
Collecting loose toys enables student leadership sponsor Tracy Carlson to fit more items in each box she sends to Afghanistan.
The project is a personal one for Carlson, herself a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. Ponce, who's serving with a unit of the 61st Cavalry Regiment, is a cousin of her brother-in-law's.
She's already sent Ponce two boxes containing about 50 toys.
"As the kids come through (the aid station), they can have something little," Carlson said. "They want to send them out with something that's not a lollipop."
The toys build the level of trust between the Army medical personnel and their young patients, Ponce said. Most of the families they meet cannot afford to buy toys for their kids, she said.
"It is nice to be able to give them something and get them to smile," Ponce said.
In addition to the Mundelein High School drive, Ponce is getting assistance from the elementary school she attended as a child, Costa Catholic Academy in Galesburg.
"One of my former teachers has been having her students bring in toys," she said. "I guess the word travels fast when you have a large supportive family with such big hearts."
At Mundelein High, toy donations from the public are being accepted. Even the toys kids get free with value meals at local fast-food restaurants will do, Carlson said.
"We want people to clear house and feel good about giving something away," she said.
Mundelein High Principal Lauren Fagel said she was very proud of the toy drive. Carlson's personal connection to the war in Afghanistan "does give it a little more authenticity for the kids," Fagel said.
For more information, send an e-mail to studentleadership@d120.org or call the school's main office at (847) 949-2200.