Plainfield Eagle Scout Donates to the Treasure Chest Foundation

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation recently received a newly constructed workstation table thanks to the tireless work of 17-year-old Plainfield teenager Gregor who earned his Eagle Scout badge as a result of the outstanding effort. Gregory organized, implemented and coordinated the enormous construction project of building and painting the workstation table in order to attain Eagle Scout status, the highest rank attainable by members of the Boy Scouts of America. Only three percent of Boy Scouts nationwide are able to achieve the coveted Eagle Scout ranking. Gregory is a member of Plainfield Boy Scout Troop 13.

When asked about his motivation to help the Treasure Chest Foundation Gregory replied, “A good friend of mine, Eagle Scout Nick Protich, built the Treasure Chest for Edward Children’s Hospital in Naperville. Nick also filled it with toys he collected. From what I learned from Nick; I knew this was a cause I wanted to help.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel said, "One of our greatest blessings has been the help of up-and-coming Eagle Scouts like Gregory Michalek. Our upper level was a space that had potential. Thanks to Gregory’s help we now have a custom-built desk in which we have plans for our volunteers to

make phone calls to benefit the kids we serve. Words cannot express our gratitude for this wonderful workstation. We wish to thank Gregory and all who contributed to the success of this project."

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,600 young cancer patients in 62 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 28th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of this year.

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s website at www.treasurechest.org.