Sean Fischel loved to read.
Kimberly Fischel, Sean’s’ mother, recalls that even as a baby, Sean would sit on her lap and the two would happily read books together.
So with construction starting on the new Moorestown library not long after 7-year-old Sean’s tragic death in January 2013 from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, a rare and aggressive autoimmune disorder, Fischel and the rest of her family were presented with an opportunity to honor Sean and give back to the community that supported them in their time of grief.
With their charity, Sean Fischel Connect, Fischel and her family donated the funds to create what would eventually become “Sean’s Book Nook.”
Sean’s Book Nook, which the library officially dedicated with an open public house on Sept. 11, is a children’s section of the library that includes a large story time room, “Sean’s Shed,” a playhouse painted blue for Sean’s favorite color, and an actual book nook containing books that reflect Sean’s personality, each inscribed with who donated it and specially denoting it for Sean’s nook.
“Every one of these books was donated, either by the community or by family members or by Sean Fischel Connect themselves with the check, but most of the books in there reflect Sean’s personality,” Fischel said. “He loved Dr. Seuss, ‘Hop on Pop,’ those Marley Books, ‘The Polar Express,’ dinosaurs, action figures, Legos — little boy stuff. It’s perfect.”
However, the most striking thing about the room and that which truly keeps Sean’s spirit alive, is the large mural on the wall that depicts Sean, in green Philadelphia Eagles shorts, a team he loved, and the family dog Zoey, who he adored, together reading “The Polar Express,” Sean’s favorite book, underneath a large tree.
“If you notice, there are different colors of the leaves and that’s to represent all seasons,” Fischel said. “Love knows no bounds and it doesn’t have a season and it’s forever. Sean will live on here, hopefully in the hearts and minds of everybody in the community.”
The mural was painted by family friend and local artist Michelle Jagodzinski, and in the upper left corner of the mural in large letters is a dedication Fischel authored about there being love where there is life.
That, combined with the shape of the wall and the style in which Jagodzinski depicted Sean, the entire mural looks as if it too is a page in the one the library’s many books.
“This is what this room is about — the children connecting, possibly thinking about Sean, but for me as a mother, where there is love there is life, so if Sean is being loved and thought of in the hearts and minds of other people, he’s still with us, he’s still around,” Fischel said. “It gives me a lot of peace and it helps me through the rougher times.”
At the dedication ceremony, Moorestown Children’s Librarian Jen Dunne spoke to an audience of Sean’s young friends, family members, residents and many of those who support the Fischel’s charity.
She described Sean’s family as “wonderful, amazing people” and thanked them for their tireless work and for choosing to share with the library, and all of Moorestown, a tremendous gift.
“In the midst of their grief, they allowed us all in to share our grief as well, and to turn that into something really positive and really special that we could all enjoy together,” Dunne said.
Sean Fischel Connect, which in the past has donated to the Moorestown Department of Parks and Recreation, The Moorestown High School cross country team and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where Sean was treated, raised the funds for Sean’s nook with its first Sean Fischel Connect 5k & Fun Run in October 2013.
Fischel said the charity will be holding its second annual 5k event on Sunday, Oct. 12 at noon at Moorestown High School.
Last year’s event drew 950 registered runners, with about 1,100 people in attendance when including family members and volunteers.
Fischel describes the event as both a run and a block party, since after the run is over the participants stay and connect with the other runners and their families by enjoying food and music.
“It’s just a really good time for all of the families of Moorestown to get together and connect and celebrate life, and that’s what the first one was,” Fischel said. “It was celebrating life, and it was not a sad event. You might think that we’re here because of a little boy that died, but we’re here to celebrate the little boy’s life, and that’s what we had.”
Those interested in registering for the 5k & Fun Run, donating to or volunteering with Sean Fischel Connect or simply learning more about Sean and his life can visit seanfischelconnect.org.
“It’s on Sean’s birthday weekend, which makes it even more powerful for me,” Fischel said. “It’s like the party I couldn’t have for him. I am having it with everybody.”
