Infant Jesus of Prague students go casual for Franciscan Health

Students at Infant Jesus of Prague School got to take a break from their school uniforms, and in turn, raised funds that will help COVID-19 patients recover from their illness at home.

Principal Charlotte Kelly said that during Catholic Schools Week, the eighth-grade leadership team wanted to use their monthly service project to help with the pandemic. They found out about Franciscan Health Foundation’s Preparedness and Response Fund, which directly helps frontline healthcare workers and patients by providing personal protective equipment and remote monitoring equipment so that patients can recover at home.

The kids had a dress-down day fundraiser, where they pay a dollar a day for each piece of clothing that’s different from their uniform. While 75 percent of students are in person at the Flossmoor school, remote students got in on the fun as well. “The kids working remotely have to wear their uniform shirt, so a dress-down day is fun for them as well.” Kelly said.

The result was $375 raised, which was presented on March 3 to Franciscan Health Foundation Executive Director Laurie Crosby and Sister Ruth Luthman, vice president of mission integration at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. “The Foundation is incredibly appreciative of the support from the wonderful students at Infant Jesus of Prague School. We are truly blessed to have such a supportive community,” Crosby said.

Kelly said while this school year has been very different, helping others with fun activities makes the students happy. “We’ve really been very safe. Things are different. We don’t have singing, there’s no choir this year, but we’re trying to keep things as normal as possible.”

To learn more about how you can help support the Franciscan Health Foundation Preparedness and Response Fund, visit FranciscanHealthFoundation.org/covid-19 or call (708) 852-2430.