North Allegheny students surpass goal with Jared Box Project to brighten days of hospitalized children

More than 1,000 little boxes of happiness have been prepared for children at local hospitals over the past four years, courtesy of students in the North Allegheny School District.

Senior Julia O’Keefe and sophomores Fischer Modic and Sidney Rice spearhead the project to make Jared Boxes, handheld containers filled with toys, activities or stuffed animals to give to children at local hospitals.

“It’s bringing joy when it might be hard to find. The idea that the love of a community can be poured into a box and presented to a kid when they need it most is an amazing thing to be a part of,” said Modic, 16.

On May 22, the trio rallied a group of fellow students to participate in a major Jared box-making event, where 394 boxes were assembled, according to O’Keefe.

The boxes are hand-crafted for patients ranging from infants to teens and are donated to local hospitals.

“All kinds of things go in boxes. From comfort items, like stuffed animals and socks, to toys and coloring books, each box is unique. We try to make sure each kid is given coloring supplies, but the rest of the box is different based on the age and gender the box is geared to,” Rice said.

The Jared Box Project began in 2001 by the children of Our Lady of Victory School in State College to honor a classmate and friend, Jared, who battled cancer with remarkable courage and faith, said Melanie Lynch, a teacher at North Allegheny Intermediate High School.

She initially began the project in State College and brought it to North Allegheny when she relocated.

Since its inception, more than 1 milion Jared Boxes have been distributed to more than 500 hospitals across the United States, she said.

Lynch passed along the concept to O’Keefe’s older brother, Evan, when he was a sophomore and Julia was a freshman. The siblings immediately began working on the project together in the 2021-22 school year, making 133 boxes their first year.

In 2022-23, the pair, with their fellow students, made 147 boxes, and last year they created 331 boxes. O’Keefe hoped to reach a goal of making 1,000 over the past four years. After this last box-making session, they exceeded it by five boxes, calling it the Tiger’s Jared Box.

“The Tiger’s Jared Box Project means absolutely everything to me,” said O’Keefe, who will be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the fall. Her brother graduated in 2024.

“We have worked so hard to reach over 1,000 boxes, and I am so proud of our team. It is amazing to see how much this project has grown over my four years of high school. Even though I am graduating from North Allegheny, I am looking forward to continuing the mission at the University of Pittsburgh,” said O’Keefe, 18.

Rice, 16, said they had a “really amazing turnout of volunteers — so many people were there to help out and take part in it.”

Infant boxes may have blankets, “binkies,” bibs and baby toys. Toddler or preschool boxes could have stuffed animals, coloring supplies and picture books. Boxes for elementary students and teens have lots of card games, more coloring supplies and activity books, Rice said.

“No matter how old you are, being in the hospital isn’t fun so we make boxes for all kids,” Rice said.

Previous distribution sites include UPMC Children’s Express Care and Children’s Hospital North Surgery Center on Wexford Bayne Road and AHN Wexford, where hospital staff distributed the boxes to various AHN locations in the Pittsburgh area. In addition, Jared Boxes were brought to the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Surgery Center, O’Keefe said.

“A Jared Box truly makes a difference for children when they need it most, and I am so fortunate to have had the privilege to start this project at North Allegheny,” she said.

The Wellness for Life students, along with several other clubs, raise the necessary funds for this project, Lynch said.

“The commitment and compassion shown by Julia, Fischer and Sidney reflect the essence of community service and the impact we can have on the lives of young patients. Their efforts not only inspire their peers but also bring joy to those in need,” Lynch said.

The three students, all residents of Franklin Park, also have a collection drive at the Franklin Park Municipal Building.

For questions about the Jared Box Project or how to make monetary or physical donations, email NAjaredbox@gmail.com.