Go Help: Finke Girls Support Children with Cancer
When two girls celebrating an important milestone decide to help sick kids, a whole lot of joy happens in a lot of young lives.
When two girls celebrating an important milestone decide to help sick kids, a whole lot of joy happens in a lot of young lives.
Hannah Finke (Grade 8) and her younger sister Tess (Grade 7) are a couple of Graland students with very big hearts. This year they used the occasion of their B’not Mitzvah to bring attention to children at Brent's Place and to make an impact on families in crisis.
After discovering Brent's Place, the girls toured the facility to find out more about the kids living there and what the program does to help families. Brent's Place offers families who are fighting cancer a place to live together, at no cost, while undergoing medical treatment. It is Denver's only "safe and clean" housing for young immunocompromised patients. More importantly, it’s an environment that is 100 percent child-focused where kids can be kids.
The Finkes were hooked. "I was especially moved by one girl my age," shares Hannah. "It was clear she had been through a lot and knowing that she and others have to suffer like that motivated me to help them."
And so they did, in distinct and impactful ways.
Fundraiser
For their December celebration with family in Asheville, North Carolina, Hannah and Tess requested donations to Brent’s Place in lieu of B’not Mitzvah gifts for themselves. On average, one family's stay at Brent’s Place costs $10,500 and lasts 105 days. These costs are covered by the Brent Eley Foundation and supported by private donations.
Awareness
In a January presentation to their peers at Graland, the girls shared about Brent’s Place and specifically the details of bone marrow transplants, a cancer treatment. With a representative from Brent’s Place on hand to answer questions, Hannah and Tess spread their enthusiasm for the organization. "Our classmates were amazing," Hannah says. "They were very respectful and engaged during our presentation and asked a lot of great questions."
Toy Drive
The Finkes invited the entire Grades 7 and 8 classes at Graland to help them celebrate at their B’not Mitzvah party on January 10. In the spirit of the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam or “repairing the world,” they asked for donations of toys in lieu of gifts. Graland kids brought a total of 213 unwrapped toys for Brent's Place and more are still coming in.
Recently, Hannah and Tess, along with their older sister Sophie ('12) and their mother Molly McCray-Finke, personally delivered the toys they collected to residents at Brent's Place -- a moment they will never forget.
"Earlier that day one of the patients had passed away so it was a very sad day for them," explains Tess. "When we brought in the new toys, it helped cheer them up. I felt so much joy for making them happy."
Once flu season passes, the girls have plans to host arts and crafts nights, game and movie nights, and special meals for Brent's Place kids. Already they work behind the scenes to prepare gift baskets for new children who arrive at the facility. It’s not a glamorous job, but one that is very important in achieving the organization’s mission, according to Rachel Bernstein, community engagement manager at Brent’s Place.
“We are so honored to be chosen for Hannah and Tess’s giving,” says Rachel. “Kids helping kids is the most inspirational giving that exists. What I appreciate most about these girls is their willingness to do whatever they can to support Brent’s Place.”
Their enthusiasm for this program is having a ripple effect in the Graland student community. Other students have already told Hannah and Tess that they would like to volunteer and help in other ways at Brent's Place.
If anyone else is inspired to get involved, donations of toys, money and time are always appreciated. For more information, contact Rachel Bernstein at 720-343-2807.
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Kathryn Albright1/23/2015 @ 3:33 PMWhat a remarkable story of kindness and generosity. We can all learn something from the Finke family... Thank you for sharing!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
