School raises $2,000 in change for cause

MARION - Since 1994, millions of dollars have been raised in pennies and other spare change by more than 10 million elementary, middle and high school students throughout the country.

Garfield Elementary School is part of that effort, a news release states. The funds, collected during a three-week campaign, benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Last year, the school raised more than $1,200 for blood cancer research; this year, it raised more than $2,000.

The students and staff participated in various activities to help raise awareness and increase donations. The activities included a girls versus boys day, with the winners getting extra recess time; a penny stall, which required teachers to count all pennies brought to their class before their day could start; the “stuck for a buck” challenge, which allowed students to purchase a piece of duct tape and tape a teacher to the wall; and a slipper day, when participants made a donation to wear slippers all day.

Students also encouraged their family and friends to pitch in when they took collection boxes home and gathered donations as well.

“Garfield Elementary plans to continue to support this worthy cause each year,” said Terrie Robinson, educational support provider. “They’re learning not only about making an impact, but about leadership, teamwork, philanthropy, and what “doing good” for others can mean.”