Latin Carrying Hope Event 02/18

On Wednesday, February 18, Carrying Hope hosted a tote bag assembly event at the Latin School of Chicago. I, along with around 30 other Latin students, had the opportunity to spread warmth and hope to the chemo patients at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center and Silver Cross Hospital through the assembly of Carrying Hope’s tote bags. Together, we were able to make roughly 45 bags.

In the Upper School lobby, there were tables upon tables of supplies. In each tote, we placed a blanket, fluffy socks, ginger chews, a journal and pen, Aquaphor, hand lotion, a stress ball, Lemonheads, eye masks, and a custom “Letter of Love.” These “Letters of Love” are handwritten and decorated cards made by students. They contain uplifting messages of strength, telling each patient that they are loved and supported by Carrying Hope.

“Inside the cards, you put really kind messages and then you sign your own name,” said Charlotte Flandina, a junior at Latin who attended the service event. “I thought adding that personalization to the letter really shows that it’s a real person behind it, a real person who cares and wants to connect with you.”

I personally found this service event to be extremely impactful. I was not only sure these totes would brighten the days of chemo patients, but knowing a lot of these items provided Naomi’s mother, Kerri Herman, comfort during her own experience with cancer made me optimistic that they would provide the same comfort to the patients receiving the totes.

The addition of each handwritten card provided a factor of personalization and extra care to the totes. I am hopeful that they made patients smile and feel the immense love and care that was put into each tote, as well as into Carrying Hope’s entire mission, upon reading them.

This was Carrying Hope’s first service event with the Latin School, and I can confidently say it was a huge success. Every single student in attendance was eager to help and hopeful to make a difference in their community. I am beyond grateful that Carrying Hope was able to bring the school community together to support not only a great cause, but also foster a shared passion of helping others among students.