Keely Allen, 13, at left, and her sister, Kyleigh, 8, are pictured at home in Millstone Township, where they prepared handmade pillows for cancer patients. Keely is working toward earning her Girl Scout Silver Award. Kyleigh was part of a team of five people who sewed the pillows, under Keely’s supervision. MILLSTONE — Keely Allen of Millstone Township “sewed up” 2013 in a giving way.
After teaching a small group of people to sew pillows, the 13-year-old made a special New Year’s Eve delivery to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, to bring some cheer to the hospital’s oncology patients.
The young woman’s effort was part of a project to help her earn her Girl Scout Silver Award, and the idea came from the personal experience of having many relatives diagnosed with cancer.
“I realized that pillows would make a great present for people who are struggling with cancer treatments,” Keely said. “I decided we would make orange pillows because they are bright and warming.”
Michele Langevin, Oncology and Total Joint Center/Stroke Center nurse manager at CentraState Medical Center, accepted the pillows and thanked Keely for her work.
Joan M. Nealon, director of volunteer and guest services at CentraState Healthcare System, said the pillows will provide a benefit to patients and their families.
“I feel a big impact is the fact that a patient who has just received a diagnosis of cancer will receive a thoughtful gift from someone they do not know but who took the time to show care and concern,” Nealon said.
She said she believes that donations such as Keely’s can make a difference.
“We have many people who become volunteers after being treated here because of the great care they received, as well as the thoughtful and generous projects of our community members,” Nealon said. “We welcome donations from Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and community groups to provide personal handmade items for our patients.”
Keely said her inspiration to donate handmade pillows was multifaceted and quite personal. The idea was sparked by a story her mother told about giving a pillow to an ailing relative who was profoundly moved by the gesture.
While Keely was working on her project, she got to see how powerful it is to give something as simple as a pillow to another person. Her maternal grandmother died on Dec. 12 of ovarian cancer. Fortunately, Keely had an opportunity to provide an emotional boost to her grandmother when she traveled to Canada for a visit in September.
“I was able to give my grandmother a special pillow that was made just for her,” the young woman said. “On the pillow I stitched the words, ‘I love you, Keely.’ My grandmother started to cry. I felt really happy and overwhelmed that I could give her something she could remember me by and use. I started to cry, too. It motivated me to really want to do this project. Even though people have to go through difficult times, they should know that people care.”
Keely said she enjoyed working on her pillow project as she pursues her Silver Award as a member of Girl Scout Troop 1231. Her troop leaders, Anne Pesciotta and Laura Konya, said they were proud of Keely for her accomplishment.
Pesciotta was on hand at CentraState Medical Center to support her.
“Keely looked to make a difference, and I am very proud of her,” Pesciotta said. “This was a meaningful use of her interest in sewing. Those who receive these pillows may have a brighter day during a difficult time.”
To earn a Silver Award, Keely had to receive approval from the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore for a proposed project. Maryjane
Carpenter of Millstone Township is the Girl Scout adviser who made certain all of the appropriate guidelines were met.
Specifically, Keely’s project called for her to supervise and teach at least four friends how to sew and for Keely and her friends to spend 45 hours sewing and stuffing the pillows.
She has completed the requirements for a Girl Scout Silver Award and will be presented with the honor in the spring.
Keely’s parents, Debra and Thomas, and her sister, Kyleigh, 8, supported her.
Thomas Allen praised his daughter, saying, “I think it is fantastic that Keely has such great ambition. She did it all on her own. I am so proud of her. She would like to go into oncology as a doctor, hopefully.”
Debra Allen said she was impressed by Keely’s tenacity and empathy for others.
“She worked hard and did a beautiful job supervising this project and seeing it through,” Allen said. “Her aspirations are tremendous. She would like to find a cure for cancer one day.”
The project involved putting together a team consisting of friends and family members who have sewing machines. This included Keely’s mother and sister; Rosa Gomez, 23, of Millstone; Beverly Decker, 82, of Monroe Township; and Emily Hunter 15, of Millstone.
“It made me feel good to be a role model for my sister,” Keely said. “She saw how great it feels to help people by doing this work. … I want to thank everyone who helped me.”
Keely said that in the near term, she hopes to earn a Girl Scout Gold Award. In the far-off future, the young woman said her mom is correct in saying that she would like to find a cure for cancer.