It?s not as if Grundy R-5 High School junior Hayley Buckner doesn?t have enough to do. She?s involved in sports, cheerleading, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, FFA, A-Plus and many other activities that keep her busy. But she has chosen to add one more to the list: a year-long project of collecting teddy bears for sick children.
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It?s not as if Grundy R-5 High School junior Hayley Buckner doesn?t have enough to do. She?s involved in sports, cheerleading, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, FFA, A-Plus and many other activities that keep her busy. But she has chosen to add one more to the list: a year-long project of collecting teddy bears for sick children.
Hayley, the daughter of Linda and Darren Buckner of Humphreys, has begun what she envisions as a ?journey of hope? for children who are battling cancer and other diseases. The idea came from a magazine story and was spurred on by the fact that her father was once one of those sick children.
?There was an article in ?Reader?s Digest? about St. Jude?s Hospital and the children they treat. It made me want to help cancer patients,? she explained. ?And my Dad had leukemia when he was 13, so I thought this might be a good way to help.?
Hayley began collecting the bears on Jan. 1 and will stop the collection in Jan. 1, 2006. She set a goal of collecting 10 bears per month and has already collected over 100 of the animals (many of those from students at Pleasant View R-6 School) and about $100 in cash. The bears will be distributed to sick kids at Children?s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and St. Jude?s Hospital in Memphis, TN. She hopes the children who receive the bears will gain some comfort from them.
?Children are facing trials that many of us could not imagine going through,? she wrote in a letter to family and friends. ?Whether facing another test or praying they see another tomorrow. That is where the Teddy Bears come into play. My hope is that these Teddy Bears will be able to give hope and comfort to these innocent children. One person may not be able to make a big difference, but with your help it is possible to bring a smile to a child?s face.?
Her first bear has already been distributed, going to Trenton resident Drew Rorebeck, who has been a patient at Children?s Mercy Hospital.
Hayley is hoping that not only her family and friends, but other groups will be interested in contributing to the project as well, such as scout groups, 4-H clubs, sororities, churches and youth groups. The bears must be new due to the importance of a sterile environment for the children, and cash is also being accepted for the project.
Hayley said hearing stories of her father?s fear as a childhood cancer patient and knowing there are children all over the world who are facing serious illnesses has caused her to reflect on her own life, which she calls ?blessed? and to try to show that ordinary people can make a difference.
?I am so blessed to be healthy and to not have to worry about diseases and illnesses,? she said. ?I hope this shows that you don?t have to be anyone special to help in a big way.?
Those wishing to help Hayley in her endeavor may contact her at 673-6723 for more information or to arrange for bears to be picked up. The bears also may be dropped off at the Republican-Times office, which is serving as the drop-off point in Trenton.