A group of children from the Bradford Area Christian Academy (BACA) first through third grade classes came up with an ingenious way of encouraging individuals seeking medical attention through the Bradford Regional Medical Center.

An entire class of ten students worked diligently making cards, during classroom free time along with their free time during the before and after school programs at BACA, according to Administrator Michele Panek.

“Apparently the name of their little group, entitled Hip Hop Team, came from a love of rabbits shared by a few of the participating students, along with the joyful connotation of ‘hopping,’” stated Panek.

The Hip Hop Team made their first delivery this past week to the Bradford Regional Medical Center, and the hospital plans to use the cards delivered “for kids who visit the emergency room and/or for those struggling with cancer or other terminal illnesses,” according to Panek.

While the team continues to make cards in their spare time for future deliveries, they are always looking for alternative ways to promote their involvement in the community.

In the past, students from BACA have participated in collecting gifts for Operation Christmas, collecting goods for Blessings Boxes around Bradford, making cards for Chapel Ridge, Ecumenical Home, and the Manor residents and collecting diapers and wipes donations for Bright Alternatives.

“The restrictions of the pandemic for almost two years have made this more challenging, but we have tried to be creative amidst those challenges,” stated Panek.

However, the Hip Hop Team came up with this particular outreach project completely on their own, according to Panek, and “then one of our parents helped to find us connections with the Bradford and Olean hospitals in order to get the cards and notes into the hands of those who needed their uplifting messages.”

For more information about this program call 814-368-6800 or visit www.bacaacademy.com.