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Jun 21, 2023

Tinley Park Kids' Curbside Café To Benefit Kirby District 140 Teacher

TINLEY PARK, IL — A group of business-minded youngsters will continue their curbside café this week, with proceeds set to go toward a Kirby District 140 teacher. Up and running again is Hanover Kids'

TINLEY PARK, IL — A group of business-minded youngsters will continue their curbside café this week, with proceeds set to go toward a Kirby District 140 teacher.

Up and running again is Hanover Kids' Café, right in the driveway of one family's home.Hot coffee, cold drinks, some baked goods, it's all there — who needs Starbucks? The café is open Tuesdays and Thursdays through August 22, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. You can find their shop set up at Hanover Drive and Milford Avenue in Tinley Park. The kids keep any hard-earned tips, but the rest goes to local causes, with this week's focus on Missy Farver.

Farver was initially diagnosed in 2019 with melanoma. Shortly after the end of the 2022-2023 school year, Farver was diagnosed with stage four metastatic melanoma on her lung, learning the cancer had spread to her lung and lymph nodes, said Kirby District 140 Superintendent Dr. Dan Callaghan. Farver had part of her lung removed shortly after her diagnosis, and continues to undergo treatment, according to a CaringBridge site. Farver has been a Special Education teacher for more than 20 years, Callaghan added. She and her husband live in Frankfort with their two children, who are entering second and fifth grades this fall.

"Once they heard about it, they immediately thought it would be a good cause," said Ashleigh Gingras, mother of one of the children behind the cafe, "because she’s a teacher in our district and they want to help someone who needs it."

The menu goes beyond your basic brews, with lattes (hot and iced), flavored lemonades and iced teas, cappuccino, and so many more options. The café is all the kids' creation, with handwritten and drawn menus, acquired coffee-making skills, and signs for advertising.

Also featured at this week's café offerings will be cake pops homemade by the girls of local Girl Scout Troop #65138. They'll also sell Rice Krispies treats and puppy chow.

The first week's proceeds were donated to White Sox charities. The second week's proceeds went to Leukemia Research Foundation. Helping to run the show are eighth graders Atala, Allison, Mikey, and Gianluca; seventh grader Jonathan; fifth grader Joey; sixth grader Ryan; and fourth grader Christian.

Callaghan said he's proud of the children behind the café.

"I know firsthand that these students are special," he told Patch. "I had the opportunity to be their principal a few years ago, now the community gets to witness the size of their hearts.

"This idea of theirs serves as a testament to the power of community. They found out about a community member in need and without hesitation, jumped into action to make her life a little bit easier. The entire district supports these young change-makers as they embody the spirit of solidarity and hope."