Bridgeport Students Overflow with Kindness, Donate Hundreds of squishmallows in Memory of Young Cancer Fighter
Bridgeport, OH - November 16, 2023 - In a heartwarming display of community spirit and compassion, students and staff at Bridgeport exempted Village School District have rallied to honor the memory of eight-year-old Monroe DeLuca, who tragically passed away in September after a courageous battle with a brain tumor.Their efforts culminated in a donation of over 100 squishmallows – soft, comforting sensory toys – to UPMC Children’s Hospital, aiming to bring joy and solace to other young patients facing tough medical journeys.
The initiative, spearheaded by Joanna Vincenzo’s cross-categorical class, quickly exceeded expectations. What began as a goal to collect 50 squishmallows blossomed into a remarkable outpouring of support, with the school ultimately donating over double that number.
“While she was going through treatment, she had collected a bunch of Squishmallows and started to give them away to other kids who had brain tumors,” explained Katie Kendall of Kendall Behavioral Solutions, who accepted the donation on behalf of UPMC Children’s Hospital. ”friends of the family decided to carry on and donate the Squishmallows…so every child coudl have a warm hug and something to squeeze while they’re going through a hard time.”
The connection to Bridgeport Schools runs deep. Monroe’s mother, Amanda DeLuca, serves as board president of The More than Project, an organization dedicated to supporting children with special needs and their caregivers. In 2022, The More Than Project provided Bridgeport Schools with $5,000 in sensory equipment for Vincenzo’s classroom, creating a dedicated sensory corner for students.
“We had been following her story,” said Beverly Prati, Bridgeport Schools Special Education Director. “I thought: We need to do something here at Bridgeport to honor her memory. Her mom had such an impact on our little corner of the world…so we wanted to give back.”
The donation drive, which began on October 20th, tapped into the school’s existing strong ties with Kendall Behavioral Solutions and the wider community. Prati emphasized the school’s commitment to service. “It’s another way for us to give back to the community,and I’m incredibly proud of our students and staff for their generosity.”
The total Squishmallow collection across the broader effort is expected to exceed 400, ensuring countless children at UPMC Children’s Hospital will receive a comforting companion during challenging times. This act of kindness serves as a powerful testament to Monroe DeLuca’s enduring legacy of compassion and the unwavering spirit of the Bridgeport community.
Keywords: Bridgeport Ohio, UPMC Children’s Hospital, squishmallows, Monroe DeLuca, childhood cancer, Donation, Community, Kindness, Special Needs, Sensory Toys, The More Than Project, Bridgeport exempted village School District.