Published: March 08, 2009 11:43 pm      

Person of the Week: Pillowcases for pediatrics patients becomes senior’s project

A cheerful pillow can make bedtime more restful for a child.

And for an ill child, a colorful pillow made with caring hands is just what the doctor ordered.

Kelly McVicker, a senior at Chestnut Ridge High School, delivered

95 such pillowcases on Wednesday to the pediatrics depart- ment at Memorial Med- ical Center.

“They were excited about it,” McVicker said after presenting six children with new cases for their pillows.

McVicker was searching for a community-service task to do for her senior project when she saw her grandmother, Belva Mock of Johnstown, making pillowcases for ill children through a national program.

She thought it would be a great idea for her project.

McVicker, 18, got busy and made 80 pillowcases in a couple of weeks.

Her grandmother pitched in, making 15 more.

“I did it to help the children,” McVicker said. “It will probably put a smile on their faces.”

The pillowcases will make their hospital stay more homey, she said.

“It will cheer them up every time they look at the pillowcases,” she said.

McVicker purchased the fabric at area stores with her aunt, Elizabeth Tressler of Johnstown, donating material to the project.

McVicker enjoys helping people.

As a member of a community-service class at school, she helps students at a prekindergarten class at the Chestnut Ridge Elementary School.

She also is a member of the youth group at Liberty Bible Church in Bedford.

For her efforts, McVicker, a New Paris resident, is the Person of the Week.

Dolores Gindlesperger, nurse manager for the pediatrics unit, said the pillowcases are a wonderful treat for the children.

“The fun pillowcases will surely bring a smile to their faces,” she said.

Amy Bradley, spokeswoman for the medical center, said a volunteer grandma will deliver the pillowcases to children in the days and weeks ahead.

“We were so pleased that Kelly thought of the children in pediatrics for her senior project,” Bradley said.

“The pillowcases are gorgeous with a wide variety of themes children will like, including sports, ladybugs, airplanes and popular characters like Thomas the Train and SpongeBob.

“The children will get to take their pillowcases home with them when they leave, so that is a very thoughtful gift that they will get to enjoy for a long time.”