Joliet West High School sophomore Jennifer Becker is feeling a little down this holiday season, knowing it will be the first Christmas without her grandfather, who died of cancer in August.
But that is not keeping her from lifting the spirits of others, especially sick children at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center.
Jennifer, friend Hillary Graf and more than a dozen other students will hand out teddy bears, candy and other forms of good cheer during a party for children at the hospital from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s so the kids don’t feel so bummed out for the holidays when they’re up there because they won’t be able to go home,” Jennifer said.
Jennifer came up with the party idea, but it soon became a class project, with other students helping her collect bears and work out logistics.