Stanton Collection Honors One Of Its Own

HAMMONDSVILLE-Stanton Elementary School is pulling together to help others and carry on the legacy of one of its own with a collection for local cancer patients.

The student council has organized a Cancer Hope Kit drive in the memory of Carolyn Byers, a paraprofessional who served at the school for more than 20 years before passing away in January. Byers, who worked as a preschool aide, had single-handedly coordinated a similar collection of items which were then donated to WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center Cancer Center where she had undergone treatment. Now the school is conducting a campaign to fill 50 bags for area patients and the collection winds down on Oct. 30.

School counselor Megan McNear said the project was student-led by six fourth, fifth and sixth graders and also serves as a lasting tribute to Byers, who helped countless other patients in their time of need.

"We're collecting items and putting them into care packages and it was inspired by what Mrs. Byers had done, and we wanted to continue it in her memory," McNear said. "The students have been bringing items throughout the month and preschool teacher Suzy LoPrete and aide Pam Swickard are helping to put it together. It's a whole community effort here at the school."

Items being collected include socks, lotion, lip balm, hard candy or mints, Gatorade or ginger ale, journals, pens, puzzle books, blankets, tissues, and hand sanitizer while monetary contributions were also accepted. The student council members, which include Madelyn Van Nuys, Trent Roberts, Ryan Taylor, Justus Spencer, Lena Wickham, and Lliam Ryan, all agreed that they were excited about the project.

"We feel good about it because we are helping out," said Spencer.

McNear added that the student council has been brainstorming ideas for school- and community-based projects and the Cancer Hope Kits plan was an easy choice.

"We were finding ways for the kids to give back and be leaders in the school and community. Last year they had some ideas and we thought we'd try to do something consistently. The kids are doing a really good job and are excited about it, plus they are developing positive characteristics and it's good to be of service," she said. "We will come up with projects as the year continues that they could lead. Hopefully it gives them something they can be proud of and an accomplishment they can remember from their time at Stanton."

More plans are in the works while hopes are to continue the cancer kit project in the future.

"It's a great way to remember Mrs. Byers and it was something she started, so we wanted to continue it," McNear commented.

Byers' colleagues said it was a significant tribute to someone who always offered a kind word and a smile to make people's day a little brighter.

“Mrs. Byers did this collection for two years," said LoPrete. "We wanted to honor her by doing it again because it was near and dear to her heart. It was something she felt very strongly about."

She and Swickard jointly stated that they had the pleasure of working with Byers for more than 20 years, and she was one of the most caring people they had ever known.

"Even on her hardest days, she remained positive and cheerful. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, never expecting anything in return. That was just who Carolyn was. We feel truly blessed to have worked alongside her for so many years, but even more thankful to have been able to call her our friend."

They added that even amid her long cancer battle, Byers often shared stories about the kindness she had experienced while receiving treatments and the wonderful people she met, as well as the thoughtful bags and care packages she had received. That simple act inspired her to help others with her own cancer care packages.

"Carolyn always wanted to pay that kindness forward and bring a little hope and happiness to others facing the same journey. In her memory, our goal is to fill 50 Cancer Hope Kits to be donated to WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center to share with patients undergoing cancer treatments. Through this project, we hope to continue Carolyn's legacy of kindness, compassion, and generosity. Each bag will be filled with thoughtful items, but more importantly, it will carry a message of love, encouragement, and hope."

Officials said Byers' family also hoped to get involved and plans were to include her granddaughter, Briar, possibly in the packaging or distribution of the bags. Meanwhile, the public may donate items or monetary contributions to the project. Checks may be made payable to the Edison Local School District with "Cancer Hope Kits" on the memo line and sent to Stanton Elementary at 14890 State Route 213, Hammondsville, Ohio, 43930. For more information, contact the school at (740) 282-5501.