Park Ridge Student Given State-Wide Volunteer Honor

The founder of "Cards for Hospitalized Kids" at Maine South High School was named one of Illinois' top volunteers of 2013 by Prudential. 

Jen Rubino, 18, is one of eight distinguished finalists in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a national program honoring middle level and high school students for outstanding volunteer service.

Cards for Hospitalized Kids has sent more than 10,000 cards to kids in hospitals across the country. Rubino was inspired to start the charity after receiving a handmade card while she was hospitalized at age 11 for a chronic illness affecting her bones, muscles and connective tissues.

"There was one specific hospital stay in which I was close to losing hope, but a kind gesture from a hospital volunteer helped me maintain hope and I founded CFHK to do that for other kids. As the founder of CFHK, I am able to combine my own experience as a patient and my desire to help others in a way that allows me to help children across America who are facing what I've faced," reads an excerpt from Rubino's website, www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com.

To learn more about the charity and how you can volunteer, visit www.cardsofhospitalizedkids.com

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