River City Middle School students prep care packages for cancer patients

POST FALLS — In colorful Crayola marker, "You are resilient," "Keep fighting," "Your spirit is unbreakable" and other encouraging messages were written on bright construction paper cards.

Ryan Heasty's fifth period leadership students at River City Middle School paired off or grouped up Tuesday afternoon as they collaborated on notes of love and positivity that will be sent to those recovering from surgery at Cancer Care Northwest.

"I think it's really good that we're doing this, to make us care and be aware," seventh grader Grace Peratos said, the words, "Stay strong" written in orange on the card in her hand.

Seventh grader Ella Piephoff wrote, "Believe in yourself" on a bright yellow card. She said she hopes the notes make the recipients feel good when they read them.

The middle schoolers crafted these compassionate cards while also filling post-operation kits with gauze, medical tape, alcohol wipes and other items those who recently had surgery will need as they recover.

Heasty, who co-teaches 60 Titan Leadership Team students with colleague Dean Strawn, said this project helps fulfill an objective of the leadership class to shape young people into servant leaders who will make positive impacts on their schools and communities. Each student is required to conduct several service hours as part of the program.

Brilynn Hazlitt is one of the team leaders when it comes to fulfilling service hours.

"I feel really happy to know we can give back to the community," she said. "Stuff like this will lead up to high school, National Honor Society hours and that will lead you through college."

When Cancer Care Northwest Director of Nursing Annette Nagle reached out to see if students could help with putting together 400 post-surgical kits, the Titan Leadership Team answered the call. The Cancer Care Foundation donated the supplies, which Nagle dropped off at the school Tuesday morning, and the kids took it from there.

"It's awesome to get young kids who are willing to jump in and help out for a good cause," she said. "I think the patients are going to be so excited when they have a little handwritten note from the students."

The notes weren't part of the initial ask; they were a special touch the students wanted to add.

Heasty said his students never cease to amaze him.

"I'm really proud of the feel around the school and the difference they've made as far as the culture's involved," Heasty said.

The Titan Learning Team will finish the care package task today. The team is seeking more community outreach and service opportunities in the Post Falls community. 

"It's important for them to understand empathy and realize the needs of others," Heasty said. "This helps them understand where some people are at and some of the needs of our community."

Need help with a project? Email ryan.heasty@sd273.com for details.

    Seventh graders Grace Peratos, left, and Ella Piephoff show encouraging messages they wrote Tuesday that will be included in care packages for Cancer Care Northwest patients. River City Middle School leadership team members will finish preparing 400 packages today as they fulfill community service goals.
  

    River City Middle School seventh grader Brayden Hixson included a drawing with the words, "You are strong and resilient" on the card he made Tuesday that will go to a Cancer Care Northwest patient.
  

    Brayden Salas, a River City Middle School seventh grader, works with classmates to prepare care packages Tuesday for Cancer Care Northwest patients recovering from surgery.
  

    Aubrey Heath, left, and Nicole Harvey write inspirational messages on cards Tuesday as they help prepare care packages for Cancer Care Northwest's surgical patients.