Creteau Tech students donate proceeds of bake sale to Cornerstone kids program

From left, Haleigh Reilly, Mia Baillargeon, Morgan Tanguay and Meryam Belhassad (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit home health and hospice care provider, recently received a generous donation of $484 from Health Occupations Students of America students at the Richard W. Creteau Regional Technology Center.

This donation is a result of a special bake sale that the students organized to support the Kiddie Cornerstone Fund at Cornerstone VNA.

The Kiddie Cornerstone Fund was established in 2016 to provide gifts for the organization's pediatric patients to bring smiles to their youngest patients and to promote hope and healing at home. In addition to gifts, such as books, coloring books, and small toys, funds are also used to purchase gas cards to assist with transportation to medical appointments for families in need.

"Childhood illnesses are scary for young patients and their families, and the financial burden can be so overwhelming," said Erika Lee, Director of Advancement at Cornerstone VNA. "Thanks to donations to our Kiddie Cornerstone Fund, we can provide an extra layer of support in the form of toys and books, special equipment, gas cards, and even gifts over the holidays. We are very grateful to the students for their efforts to support our young patients."

"We are fortunate enough to have a great group of ladies [students] this year that are passionate about serving the community and reaching out to those who may need it most. Of course, we could have raised money for ourselves, but this was something more honorable, that makes an impact on others, HOSA Co-president, HOSA Co-president," Mia Baillargeon added.

HOSA adviser Lisa Kumph said the students who were involved were happy to contribute their time and baking expertise to the effort.

"Our HOSA group was very excited to be able to support the children in our community," she said. "The students and staff at Spaulding High School and the Creteau Tech Center demonstrated their generosity through support of the bake sale."

For more information or to make a donation to the Kiddie Cornerstone Fund, visit cornerstonevna.org/kiddie-cornerstone-fund or call Erika Lee at 603-332-1133 x1203.