Student, Mom Plan Good-will Visit To St. Jude’s Research Hospital

VILLAS – Savannah Hayes, 17, a student at Lower Cape May Regional High School, and her mother Michelle, from Lower Township, are returning to St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. this spring to have their “minds blown.” 
For the third year in a row, daughter and mother are collecting toys and craft items to take to the famous hospital to distribute and to spend the day donating their blood and platelets, as well as providing a crafting session to children who have little to smile about during their fight for good health.
According to Hayes, the previous two visits to the young patients at St. Jude’s blew their minds; “they were amazing,” she said.
Hayes works in hospice care, and both felt that this project is a great way to “give back” to their community and the country as best they can.
This year, they plan to collect more donations than ever by asking residents to use “drop off” boxes at various locations such as North Beach Health Club in North Cape May, and Weinstein Supply in Burleigh, near the Home Depot.
Hayes stated that they had collected 100 Barbie dolls, plus many boxes of Lego bricks and Play-Doh in addition to other items and crafting materials.
Hayes wanted to thank Christina Lunde, a teacher at David C. Douglass Memorial School, for inviting Savannah and her to the school with drop-off boxes; according to Hayes, the entire school district will be participating in the project to benefit the children of St. Jude’s now and in the future.
Hayes wanted readers to know the “reason for this article is to shine a light on how great this community is and how everyone has come together this year to help Savannah.”
For information about the project, visit www.savannahstjudeproject.com.
Local businesses assisting Savannah:
Cuttin’ Edge Salon, Tropic Tans, North Beach Health Club, all in North Cape May.
Escape May Escape Room, Rio Grande.
Island Pools and Patios, Court House.
Weinstein Supply, Burleigh.
O’Brien’s Auto Repair, Green Creek.
NovaCare Rehabilitation, many locations.
All Lower Township Elementary Schools.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.