Scarselli students make pillowcases to soften the blow for cancer patients

A classroom at Scarselli Elementary School became a benevolent factory on April 30 as second-grade students of Jill Monfiletto and Kerry Klubben made nearly 30 pillowcases to be shipped out to East Coast hospitals for child cancer patients.

"We are teaching them community service," said Monfiletto.

Monfiletto heard about the ConKerr Cancer organization on television. She said its president, Pennsylvania-resident Cindy Kerr, started the organization after her own son had battled cancer. Making colorful pillowcases for his hospital bed had been a way to comfort him. Now, ConKerr takes pillowcases made from students across the country and delivers them to hospitalized children in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

"Most of the kids have had a grandparent or pet dog with cancer and can relate to what we're doing," said Monfiletto.

Parent Diane Dunkelman helped students select and prepare fabric.

"I'm not a sewing person, and that's why I am just pinning and laying out the fabric," she said.

Parent Annette Gilbert was busy on a sewing machine.

"The kids are learning about giving to those less fortunate," she said.

Gilbert's 8-year-old daughter, Emily, chose pink fabric for her pillow.

"It's for a girl," Emily said.

Students also wrote notes to go with their pillows.

"It's good. I like making things for someone else," Emily said.

Emily handed her pillowcase to parent Paula Montanucci, who was ironing the fabric.

"I think it's sad, but it's a worth while project," Montanucci said.

Eight-year-old Casey Peck chose fabric decorated with characters from the movie "Cars."

"This is for a boy who would like cars," she said. "It was hard to make."

Like many of her classmates, Casey has had personal experience with the disease.

"My grandmother had cancer, so I know how it feels," she said. "She is doing better now."

Klubben helped students tuck and trim their final products.

"The students have made a real connection with this program," he said. "They understand that what they are doing is impacting the lives of other children."