This is a release from Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.
Many schools have class projects but few have them eight years in the making with the purpose of serving the community. At St. John’s School in La Grange that’s exactly what you will find; and in the case of Shelley Janowski’s eighth-grade class, that purpose led straight to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.
Each year at St. John’s, first graders pick a quilt square, a theme, and then create their own masterpiece. At the end of the year, each square is sewn together. Their quilt is then displayed year after year in their homeroom. At the end of their eighth-grade year, the students donate their quilt to a local organization.
This year, the students donated their quilt to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital’s pediatric unit. “Some students were born there, and when one suggested donating it to the hospital’s pediatric unit, all 17 agreed,” Janowski said. “It’s clear the hospital means a lot to these kids.”
“Children are deeply connected to this hospital,” said Betty Sue Netzel, director of women and children’s services. “They are a part of our family and we feel very blessed to receive such a unique gift.”
Patients, staff, and visitors may stop and enjoy the unique purpose that went into each quilt square.
“We hope many people see the quilt and will be blessed by it as we have been,” said Sher Fox, director of volunteer services at the hospital.
