From left, Glenwood seventh grader Lily Russell, eighth grader Lainey Powell, and seventh graders Reid Rotar and Victoria May unwrap packs of tissues to place in “Blessed Bags” for cancer patients.

On Monday, members of the student leadership club at Glenwood Junior High School in Boardman stuffed “Blessed Bags” to hand out to cancer patients. The program was brought to Boardman through the efforts of Glenwood art teacher Chelsea Wisbar, who is familiar with the comforting power of the bags.

“My mother (Michelle Tritschler) was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Wisbar said.

Her mom received a “Blessed Bag” and was so moved by the gesture that she cried. The bag helped her mom keep a positive attitude from the love shared in its contents.

Wisbar contacted the Blessed Bag nonprofit, and after getting the approval of the students in her after-school club, Glenwood students were enlisted to help fill the gift bags for cancer patients.

Over the past two weeks, students managed to collect 50 blankets (some homemade), two scarves, 62 pairs of socks, 236 packs of tissues, 33 hand sanitizers, 94 bath lotions and 135 lip balms. The successful drive ended Monday when students in the leadership club met to assemble 30 bags to take to UPMC Moon Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The charity provided the bags, which were designed to resemble Vera Bradley bags with pockets.

The bags were delivered by Blessed Bag director Jessica Main, who knows what it is like to have cancer.

“It all started in 2014,” Main said. “I was going through chemo after being diagnosed with breast cancer. I would pack a bag that was my safety net.”

She said a friend watched her pack the bag and thought it would be a good idea to start a nonprofit to deliver bags to cancer patients. Thus, Blessed Bag was formed.

In 2018, the nonprofit was turned over to Main and she continues to carry the torch.

“We have delivered over 5,000 totes (bags) all across the nation,” Main said. “They go to male and female cancer patients.”

One item the leadership club members have added to the bags is a coloring book designed by the students in art class. Wisbar and science teacher Laura Frost assembled the coloring books and the students included them in the bags, along with a handwritten card of encouragement.

“What I hear from patients receiving the bags is heart-warming,” Main said.

The bags were filled and loaded into Main’s vehicle for the trip to Pittsburgh. The students got the joy of knowing they are making a difference in someone’s life, someone who fighting for life.

“Our students have to maintain high grades to remain in the Glenwood Leadership Club,” Wisbar said. “They are the best of the best and this project shows that.

This is our first time working with Blessed Bag,” WIsbar said, “but it won’t be our last.”

For more information on Blessed Bag, visit the website at https://blessedbag.org.