Students at Greenbriar School recently joined together to raise funds for Maggie DeVries, a five-year-old from Frankfort diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumor called DIPG.
Third-grade teacher Keri Cialdella and second-grade teacher Cassie Oman encouraged their students to make Valentine's cards to send to DeVries, but the students wanted to do more for the youngster. They decided to ask family, friends, and all the Greenbriar School community to donate restaurant gift cards to assist the DeVries family in their time of crisis.
"We know that anyone familiar with the struggles involved in battling cancer understands the toll such an experience takes on everyday living," said Greenbriar School Principal Joe Taylor. "Life, in general, becomes exceedingly difficult, and many things take a back seat to more important and vital daily activities."
"Because eating and meal preparation take a backseat to the struggles of dealing with cancer, our students suggested collecting gift cards to restaurants in the Devries' community (Frankfort, New Lenox, Mokena),” Oman added.
“It is our sincere hope that we might assist the family in dealing with one less concern during Maggie's battle with such a horrific disease," Cialdella concluded.