Neosho R-5 students have been eagerly preparing Easter baskets for children at the Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinic in Kansas City.

One of the schools was Benton Elementary School, where Christopher Cooley attended. Christopher was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma at 3 1/2 years of age. He went through several major surgeries, many rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant. He stayed in remission for 19 months before relapsing in October 1997. He died on Feb. 4, 2001, at the age of 9.

“I think that it is really good because we are helping people in Kansas City in the hospital,” said Colton Marion, a third grader.

Students were to bring in items such as candy, stuffed animals, small toys and other items to be put in baskets.

More than 50 baskets were collected today from Benton.

“They are really nice and full this year,” commented Barbara Hammett, the school’s principal. “This year, the kids did a really good job.”

In the past, Katie Dunn, a fourth grader, has brought in items.

“I have brought in candy,” said Dunn.

Holding a Easter basket was kindergartener Kyndall Davidson.

“These baskets are going to help kids,” said Davidson.

Today, Christopher’s family picked up the baskets and headed toward Kansas City.

“We started taking the Easter baskets to the kids with cancer in the hospital and in the clinic, mainly because we know a lot of them are going to be there over the holiday and they won’t get a chance to get out,” Cathy Cooley, Christopher’s mother said.
“Sometimes you will walk into a room and you can tell that they have had a rough week, day or morning and they light up when they see that Easter bunny (who will be accompanying them) and his big ears, even the teenagers — they just laugh when they see that bunny.”

Cathy commented that she has been pleased with the turnout from the Neosho R-5 students in making the Easter baskets.