Grayslake Middle Schooler “Changing” the Life of a Child

Maybe it's in couch cushions or just thrown in pockets and forgotten, but that leftover pocket change can really make a big “change” in the life of a child.

Emily Shalit of Grayslake, Ill., who recently graduated from Grayslake Middle School, found out how quickly pocket change can add up when she challenged the kids at her school to bring in spare change to suppor pediatric patients at the Ronald McDonald® Children's Hospital at Loyola University Medical Center.

“I really enjoy helping people and I wanted to be able to let others have a chance to help, too. I thought this would be a great way to do that and help kids that are close to home,” Shalit said.

She started the “Change for Charity” challenge at her school. Each 7th- and 8th-grade homeroom received a jar to fill with change. The winning classes that raised the most money didn't have to change into gym uniforms for a day. Teams brought their jars to the lunchroom so the leftover lunch money could be added. Administrators and teachers got involved as well, adding a little more than change to the jar.

In the end, Emily's project raised more than $700 for Loyola's Child Life Program, which helps pediatric patients and families maintain a sense of normalcy during hospitalization.

The pocket change is already making a positive change in lives of Loyola's pediatric patients. It is being used to help purchase toys, games and other items that help to bring joy and foster creative play during an often scary and difficult time in a child's life.

“Receiving donations like this makes an impact on our entire program; with Emily's donation I will be able to purchase mobiles and toys for the infants who are hospitalized,” said Megan Gertz, Loyola's child life specialist. “Emily's generosity teaches other patients and families the meaning of giving back and spreading joy for the sick kids. Thank you to Emily and her classmates for making a difference in the life of a child."