For children, a hospital stay can be a time of fear and anxiety. Helping young patients by providing gifts to help them pass the time is the goal of Mission Possible, a club at Twin Valley High School (TVHS).

Once a month, club members travel to Reading Hospital bearing gift bags filled with items such as coloring books, crayons and small toys, which they distribute to the children.

Inspiration for the club, which began in September of 2023, came from current TVHS senior Emma Hahn, who approached club adviser Michelle Roby, who was the TVHS guidance counselor at the time. "I came up with the idea for the club and approached Dr. Roby with it, and she jumped right on board," said Emma. "Her daughter was a patient in the hospital, and students from Alvernia (University) had left a bag of goodies for her. As soon as I approached her with the idea, she was right on board."

"My daughter had emergency surgery at age 2. They only had a wagon to entertain her, and these girls from Alvernia showed up with this box, and it was filled with wonderful items like coloring books and crayons and a Barbie (doll)," Roby added. "Ever since that moment, I always wanted to pay it forward. Emma's goal lined up with mine."

Roby worked with Dr. Brian Lahmann, a TVHS parent, who helped arrange the visits. "I have to give all the props in the world to Brian Lahmann," said Roby. "When Emma approached me, Dr. Lahmann just received his promotion (as the physician leader for emergency medicine) at Reading Hospital. He put all of the wheels in motion and had people reach out to me."

Club members travel by van to the hospital, where most times they are allowed to distribute the goodies to the patients in person. "Each basket includes a coloring book, a stuffed animal and any kind of small things they can use while they're sitting in bed - cards, little mini board games, mini coloring books and puzzles, stress toys and fidget toys," said Emma. "We include a handwritten note from members of our club with a little message like 'Feel better' or 'We are thinking of you.'"

"When I was in the hospital with my daughter, I didn't have a hair tie. So there is a hair tie for the moms," Roby added. "The last time we had some adults on the children's floor - up to age 20 - and they (accepted the gifts as well) - anything to brighten their day."

There are also special themed visits. For the most recent visit in February, the students gave out Valentine's Day candy. They also presented the nursing staff with a giant Twix bar. "For Halloween, we do a reverse trick or treat," Emma noted. "We dress in costume and we give them a pumpkin basket, and we drop candy in their basket one by one."

The Mission Possible Club has between 60 and 80 members, who raise funds to purchase the gift items by operating a snack cart. "We are 100% based on fundraising, and the kids raise the money on their own. I am so proud of them," Roby stated. "Between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m., we have five kids take two carts throughout the (school) building and sell snacks. We have gluten-free and nut-free options, juice boxes and healthy snacks."

Emma explained that club members earn the opportunity to take part in the hospital visits. "We do a point system; they earn points to go on visits," she said. "You can't just say you are in the club. You have to participate in fundraisers, help make the baskets and the cards and come to meetings."

Roby is pleased with the success of the outreach. "It's such a wonderful program," she said. "(Kids are doing) community service because it feels good in their heart and they are giving back to the community."