Children's Museum Gets Donation in Memory of Carrie

Since Frankfort's Carrie Hudek-Chiuso  had such a "big" heart for children and education, a replica of the giant keyboard from the 1988 movie "Big," starring Tom Hanks was donated in her name June 10 to the KidsWork Children's Museum, 11 N. White St. 

The donation was orchestrated through Carrie's Fund, which her family established five years ago to honor her memory. Carrie Hudek-Chiuso was killed in a senseless armed robbery in February 2008 at a  Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park. Hudek-Chiuso's brother Mike Hudek along with numerous other family members, were in attendance at the unveiling. Nieces and nephews along with cousins danced across the keyboard, which lit up as they glided along the ivories.

Hudek-Chiuso was only 33 when she fell victim to a senseless tragedy. She was a social worker at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. While still he continues to miss his sister, Hudek-Chiuso's brother can smile now when he talks about her. "She was all about the kids." 

The unveiling of the keyboard, which plays 10 of Carrie's favorite tunes, is one way to celebrate the once vibrant woman. The song list, which is whimsically called, "Carrie's Toons"  include "Holiday" by Madonna, "Heigh-Ho" by Disney, "Wake Me Up Before You Go" by George Michael and Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

Along with the giant keyboard, Carrie's Fund donated a mural in memory of Hudek's late Aunt Pat. It's called Aunt Pat's Porch. There is also an area in the museum dubbed "Carrie's Game Room." It consists of a child-size table-top interactive computer - also known as a touchscreen SMART table. Your child can choose puzzles and games that teach math, science, reasoning and problem-solving that can be played by up to four children at a time. Electronic "painting" can be done by children too young to read.

All total, $20,000 worth of enhancements were donated to the museum in the past few months. Another $62,000 worth of scholarships have been awarded by Carrie's Fund to high school students from Homewood-Flossmoor High School and the four high schools in Lincoln-Way High Dist. 210.

The entranceway at St. Mary's Church in Mokena was renovated earlier this year by way of Carrie's Fund, and St. Mary's School received four new smart boards, said Hudek. The total donated from the fund to the Mokena church and school was $3,400.

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