Kickemuit Middle School student Scott Hebert delivers a hand-made pillow to patient Paula Simmons of Mattapoisett, Mass.

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.

Patient Susan Medeiros 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. 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."

By Jeremy Rosen

jrosen@eastbaynewspapers.com