Halle Tucker, Congregation Shaare Emeth

Halle knew her mitzvah project had to be something meaningful, make a difference in someone else’s life and include her love of art and creativity. Daughter of Aemi and Steve Tucker of Chesterfield, she collected art supplies and art kits for Ranken Jordan, a pediatric bridge hospital that provides rehabilitation and subacute medical treatment for children, infant to age 21, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Flyers were emailed to friends and family and hung at Shaare Emeth and Halle’s gymnastic center. The response was overwhelming as she collected more than she ever thought she would, thanks to her generous family and friends. 

Once the collection period was over, Halle and a few friends delivered the art supplies to Ranken Jordan and spent time with the kids making art projects. “Doing art projects and being creative was a kind of therapy for them,” said Halle. “I loved being able to help the kids be creative, even if I had to help them hold a paint brush. I thought it especially helped the older kids feel a little more normal, as though they were just hanging out with us in the world outside of the hospital.”

A student at Parkway Central Middle School, Halle said being with the Ranken Jordan kids was very rewarding. “I think it made a difference not only in their lives, but in mine as well.”

After Halle’s project was over, she received a large donation of handcrafted felt kits from a relative, so she will be going back to Ranken Jordan again.

 Halle would like readers to know that Ranken Jordan relies on donations of money, supplies and time to keep its hospital running. The hospital is slated to break ground on a new building because of patient demand, among other reasons. For more information, go to rankenjordan.org.