TOWAMENCIN- The Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) found a way to help 38 children in need. On Tuesday, members gathered after school to make bracelets for children residing at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We are always looking for ways to contribute to the community,” Mrs. Sharon Lersch, the FCCLA advisor, said.

After she came across an ad in a magazine, Lersch asked Hannah Gardner, a senior and the Treasurer of the FCCLA, to find out more information about the specifics regarding bracelet donations. Gardner called St. Jude and got the information that she was looking for.

Besides being made of brand-new materials in a pet-free and smoke-free environment and packed in individual plastic zip-top bags without any personal information attached to them, the bracelets had to be made with materials that could be machine washed. The precautions are in place to ensure the wellbeing of patients who have compromised immune systems.

With an assortment of fabrics to choose from, students assembled bracelets by braiding together one inch thick strips of fabric. As children of all ages receive bracelets, bracelets of varying sizes were accepted. Among others, Gardner enjoyed the experience.

“It’s rewarding… It’s nice to be with my friends and know that somebody else is benefitting from this,” Gardner said.

The bracelets the students made were soft and fashionable, as Kailey Fossile, Vice President of the FCCLA, pointed out when referring to one of the bracelets that she made.

“I feel like I would wear this,” Fossile said.

Although proud of their creations, students will not be able to meet the children who received the bracelets. However, Gardner, who has given gifts to children at St. Christopher’s Hospital for children, knows that the bracelets will be appreciated by those who receive them based on the reactions of the children at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

“They get really excited… They seem surprised that people come around to visit them, especially because they’re sick,” Gardner explained.

Although the bracelets may seem like a small, trivial gift to give, they often let sick children feel that they are cared about, as Serena Bergeron, a member of the FCCLA, explained.

“I’m glad I’m doing this,” Bergeron said. “[Patients are] probably spending their day in a bleak hospital room… [The bracelets] will probably brighten up their day.”

Anyone is allowed to make and donate bracelets. They can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ℅ Non-Monetary Gifts, 595 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38105.