Brook Forest School’s first-ever Cereal Box Challenge was a big success Friday, as the school more than doubled its goal of collecting 1,000 boxes of cereal for donation to various organizations.
The school partnered with the Oak Brook Police Department and the Oak Brook Park District for the event, which on Friday culminated with a school-wide domino course with cereal boxes.
“The event was created to promote school culture and climate, and ongoing messaging for the school to show up and give back to the community,” Brook Forest Principal Andrea Prola said, adding that she hosts planning sessions outlined by goals and action plans for the school to attain each year.
Some of the cereal collected for the Cereal Box Challenge (Brook Forest School)
The goal of collecting 1,000 boxes of cereal was met early on, as more than 2,300 were actually brought in.
“Students celebrated their hard work by participating in the school-wide cereal box domino course,” Prola said. “This event brought the Brook Forest family together for the greater community. Students were enthusiastic, inspired and energized, as they loved helping their local community.”
The donated cereal is being given to Outreach House in Lombard, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Salvation Army of Oakbrook Terrace, Hope Food Pantry in Oak Park and the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry.
Brook Forest teachers Erin McCreary and Megan Struhar were most involved in the project, Prola said.
Reid Foltyniewicz, deputy chief of the Oak Brook Police Department, said the department was more than happy to be a part of the Cereal Box Challenge and had the department was a drop-off point for cereal donations.
“We have collected and donated food, clothing and animal shelter supplies for many years, but this is our first cereal box drive,” he said. “The school district reached out as part of our close relationship to see if we wanted to participate, and we love to give back and work with the school district.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
