Alsip Dakota Inn Benefit a Tremendous Success

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation was recently awarded $530, $90 in gift cards, toys and gifts for teens fighting cancer, proceeds from the Dakota Inn toy drive and soup cook-off event. Participants were asked to bring a new toy, gift or a gift card in lieu of the entry fee to soup cook-off benefit. This amazingly fun event has raised more than $7,050 for the Treasure Chest Foundation since 2016. Dakota Inn Manager Megan Thatcher said, “We are happy to support the Treasure Chest Foundation and its mission.” Ray Thatcher, Megan’s husband added, “It feels good to help the less fortunate.”

Nearly 75 people gathered at Dakota Inn in Alsip witnessed a remarkable day that included mouth-watering soups and drink specials. Participants had chances to win exciting raffle prizes.

When the last bowl was served Dakota Inn raised $530, $90 in gift cards, toys and teen items for the Foundation thanks in part to Chairwomen and Dakota Inn Manager Megan Thatcher of Alsip and the Dakota Inn patrons who participated in the soup cook-off event.

“We have come a long way and we are so excited to have opened 59 Treasure Chest Programs in the Nation,” said Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel. “None of this would be possible without the support of the Dakota Inn Family. The Dakota Inn Family are silent heroes for thousands of children fighting cancer.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,000 young cancer patients in 59 cancer treatment centers in 20 states across the nation and in the District of Columbia. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Ms. Kisel discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain, noting that when children are diagnosed with cancer their world soon becomes filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 26th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2019.