Community Corner
Oak Forest Key Club Raises $1,000 In Change For 6-Year-Old With Cancer
The "Pennies for Patients" program asks students to bring in spare change. This year's recipient was Maggie DeVries who has brain cancer.
OAK FOREST, IL — Oak Forest High School students presented a check for one thousand dollars to the mother of a south suburban girl who is battling brain cancer.
Erin DeVries' 6-year-old daughter Maggie has an inoperable tumor on her brain stem. After hearing the young girl's story, the Oak Forest Key Club made Maggie the recipient of a "Pennies for Patients" fundraiser that asked students to bring in spare change.
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While a few pennies here and there didn't seem like much, officials said the money added up fast.
"...the students did all of the work," said Key Club Adviser Gary Andruch in a press release. "Some days the students turned in so much change in a plastic bag that I thought it would rip the bottom of it out!"
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The Key Club students placed boxes in each homeroom class and let other students know about Maggie's journey. Both the young girl's parents are alumni of Oak Forest High School. Officials said it only took three weeks to raise over $1,000.
DeVries told students Monday she plans to use the money on things that will make Maggie have "good days," whether that be new necklaces, toys or movies.
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