STE. GENEVIEVE — Recently, SGHS sophomores Elaina Schemel and Sophie DeRousse, members of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), created fidget cuffs to benefit Alzheimer’s patients at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville.
Sophia De Rousse and Elaina Schemel deliver their completed fidget cuffs to Sara Cissell with the Perry County Memorial Hospital.
In researching the disease, the two students learned that the cuffs are effective in helping patients manage anxiety levels, and then decided to set a goal of creating the cuffs to donate to the hospital.
In order to collect necessary supplies, the students held a “Sweater Swap” at Ste Genevieve High School in December, by offering a chocolate chip cookie in return for a donated sweater.
After obtaining the sweaters, they cut off the sleeves and sewed on textured fidget items, including buttons, pom poms, squishy toys, and beads.
The two were able to donate 21 fidget cuffs to the hospital!
Of their efforts, DeRousse said, “I learned about the importance of helping other people in the community that need it and doing what you can to offer support.”
Schemel commented, “I learned how nice it feels to raise awareness for a sickness with no cure and no end.”
The two will present their research, project, and efforts at the Region 6 STAR Events in late January held on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.