RVC middle schoolers give out bookmarks to the sick

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“This is for community service?” Mercy Medical Center patient Angelina Connolly asked with suspicion. “You didn’t do anything wrong, did you?”

“No,” replied South Side Middle School students Kyle Aromiskis, Anthony Dell’Unto and Jack Russo, all 14, smiling shyly. They came to the hospital on April 18 to give out custom bookmarks they had made as part of a South Side Middle School community service assignment.

While they considered other activities like walking shelter dogs “we thought this would be best because we’re helping other people,” Russo said. Their teacher and community service mentor Allison Creagh suggested they make bookmarks and hand them out to hospital patients.

“You’re giving up your spring break time just to see me?” Connolly asked rhetorically. “Yay!” She chose a bookmark featuring a smiley face and her spirits appeared to lift from the visit. “Thank you, boys. It was a good deed,” she said before seeing them off.

On their next stop, they visited 32-year FDNY veteran and 9/11 first responder John Musarra. “You want one?” Dell’Unto asked.

“Oh, what the heck, why not?” Musarra replied. “Happy to take one.”

Moving onto the next patient, a huge grin appeared on Maurice Smith’s face when the three boys walked into his room. “Oh cool, they’re really nice!” he said as they showed off his choices. “I’d love a sports one,” he said before picking a baseball-themed bookmark. “You guys did a great job!” Smith said before thanking them.

After doing their rounds the 14-year-olds said the experience made them feel good. Giving a straightforward reaction, Aromiskis remarked, “We made them happy.”