Students Collect Items for Schreiber Center in Honor of Friend’s Memory

(LANCASTER, Pa.) – The Manheim Central Middle School student volunteers in Joni Hilbert-Hess’ IU 13 classroom were absolutely devastated when they heard the news of Alexandra Rose Nikolaus’ passing on August 3rd. Alexandra was one of Hilbert-Hess’ Multiple Disabilities Support students for 9 years and was described by her family as a “social butterfly, [someone who] loved to interact with her classmates, student volunteers and therapists.”

In Alexandra’s honor, the student volunteers began a collection of items for Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center where Alexandra had received physical therapy services for 19 years under the care of Denisha Kline. Working from the Center’s ‘Wish List’ the student volunteers started with a goal of collecting 50 items-—to date they have 200!

On Monday, November 5 at 4PM, the three sixth grade students who spearheaded this collection will be dropping off the donation at Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center. President, James DeBord, and therapists Denisha Kline and Angie Rice will be personally thanking the student volunteers for their efforts in honor of Alexandra.

“[The students] have been so excited and can not wait to deliver the items….They are total go getters!” said their very proud teacher, Joni Hilbert-Hess. The student volunteers have also discussed donating their upcoming birthday money to the Center and volunteering at Camp Schreiber next summer.