HLFYA Jack Reynolds organizes a school supply drive for children with complex medical needs at the Elizabeth Seton Children’s School.

As a longtime hockey player and as a teenager looking to make a positive impact in his community, Jack Reynolds, a sophomore from Westchester County, New York, aspired to be part of the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation (HLF).  It was a proud day when he was chosen to be a part of the 2023 class of the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation’s Young Ambassadors.  After thinking about the mission of the Henrik Lundqvist foundation, which is to create positive change in the lives of children and adults throughout the world through education and health services, Jack wanted to find an Independent Service Project (ISP) that could hit on both facets of HLF’s mission. He wanted to find a way to help children with medical issues have a meaningful and fun educational experience. He also wanted to do it within his community. 

After much thought, Jack decided it would be most meaningful to do his ISP on behalf of the Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center in Yonkers, New York.  At Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, their mission is to give a full and happy life to children who have some of the most challenging and limiting medical conditions on earth. They are distinctive in their care, teaching and determination to give these young people a transformative chance to thrive.  One of the ways they do this is through the Elizabeth Seton Children’s School.  Dedicated to helping their students achieve and find joy in learning, Elizabeth Seton Children’s School is an amazing special education program for children ages 18 months to 8 years with complex medical needs.  Jack reached out to Elizabeth Seton Children’s School and learned that they were in need of a variety of school supplies.  

Jack organized a school supplies drive and reached out to friends, family and his community to gather as many supplies as he could.  He collected everything from crayons, markers, paint, construction paper, glitter pens, felt and foam to coffee filters, paper plates, feathers, yarn and googly eyes and everything in between. Through Jack’s perseverance and the generosity of his surrounding community. He was able to collect and deliver over 325 items/packages of school supplies for the Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center School.  It is Jack’s hope that these supplies bring some joy and levity to learning for these medically fragile children.