Five smiling Kickemuit Middle School (KMS) students and three community service coordinators from the school spreaded some early St. Patrick's Day cheer last Thursday at the Women and Infants' Women's Oncology and Breast Health Center in Providence.

The volunteers, representing Kickemuit's community service club, lugged 350 handcrafted green and white petite peppermint candy bags and more than 200 handmade decorative pillows to breast cancer patients on the second and third floor of the hospital's Wasserman Family Building.

TK patient Susan Medeiros of TK said she was most appreciative of the club's thoughtful efforts.

"I like that they're aware and thank them for the time they've taken," she said. "I would love a hand-made scarf next time around."

Twice a year for three years, the KMS club has visited the center bearing candy and gifts for TK and St. Patrick's Day. Their ever-popular decorative pillows, a project headed this time around by Rhonda Fortin, aim to provide breast cancer patients physical comfort and emotional security during their treatments.

"They can use it to rest their arms, but more so, it's so they know someone's thinking about them," Ms. Fortin said.

Ms. Fortin said it took her 15 days to sew and stuff the pillows, which the students decorated. She said some patients have expressed interest in rag blankets that the club may provide next time.

"I found they've liked them and how much their warming comfort means," she said.

That type of comfort provided is why the students — sixth grade girls Alexandra Ash, Jaclyn Lebreux and Paige Cory and eighth grade boys Scott Hebert and Jarrett Fortin — said they helped make the gifts and made Thursday's trip to the center.

"We like to help people and do things good for the community," the girls said.

"Having someone smile makes my day," Paige said.

Ms. Fortin said seeing the boys' involvement, in particular, provides her a touching perspective.

"Seeing their sensitive sides in this really gets me," she said.

Jarrett and Scott agreed the main goal was to help the patients who are in difficult situations.

"It gives you a better feeling inside," Jarrett said.

Club director Patti Ryone said Kickemuit is a Feinstein Leadership school, with community service endeavors like this one funded and supported by Alan Shawn Feinstein.

"Advisor Lori Prazeres produces two newsletters a year that are distributed statewide, detailing all of our acts," she said to earn a grant each school year. "It has made life a lot easier for us."

------------------

The following are Kickemuit Middle School (KMS) community service club activities for this school year:

September 2007

n In its annual collection for troops, KMS community service club collected donated items from faculty, administration and students from all district schools to send to local soldiers abroad. It mailed more than 150 packages, and the Bristol County Elks Lodge donated money to help defray shipping costs.

October 2007

n The club created more than 2000 Veterans' Day cards for members of the RI Veterans' Home, which were distributed by the members of the Bristol County Elks Lodge, during its annual holiday visit.

November 2007

n The club donated KMS dance proceeds to purchase holiday gifts for local needy children.

n As part of the Feinstein Hunger Brigade food drive, the club held a raffle, "Hats off for Hunger," from which proceeds and food items were distributed to local needy families.

n To celebrate Thanksgiving, the club made candy bags were made and given to breast cancer patients at the Women and Infants' Breast Health Center in Providence. Included in each bag was a sentimental holiday message.

December 2007

n The club brought more than 200 handmade, decorative pillows to the Women and Infants' Breast Health Center for use by chemotherapy patients during their treatments.

February 2008

n KMS held its annual slipper day, where students and staff dressed down in pajamas and donated $1 to the "Tomorrow Fund" cancer center at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence. $354 was raised.

March 2008

n The club collected and distributed food for the Feinstein food drive for undeserved families. Alan Shawn Feinstein donated money for each item collected.

n Candy bags and handmade decorative pillows brought to the Women and Infants' Breast Health Center for St. Patrick's Day.

BY JEREMY ROSEN

jrosen@eastbaynewspapers.com