Tue, May 13 2008
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GREENSBURG - In Februrary, students at the Greensburg Junior High School saw that a little effort can create big change.
Recently, they tallied their efforts and discovered they collected $3,098.20 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program.
During the course of three weeks, students collected spare change in a penny war competition to see which classroom could raise the most money. Coming out on top was Nancy Porter’s homeroom, who received a pizza party donated by Papa John’s, for their efforts.
Students participated in spirit days and each grade planned activities to help motivate the students to raise more money. The winning eighth-grade homeroom, Charlie Hoffman’s class, got the envious opportunity to duct tape teacher Lisa Hayes to a wall. The winning seventh-grade homeroom, Porter’s class, had the chance to throw pies at teacher Carol Boing. The winning sixth-grade homeroom, Mary Nolte’s class, turned teachers into waiters during a catered lunch.
Pennies for Patients is one of the Society’s national school and youth programs that raises money to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma while providing information and support services to patients and their families. The program teaches students empathy, sharing, respect for others, and the value of community service, in addition to supporting an important cause. The need for a cure is critical. More than 785,000 Americans are currently battling blood cancers, and leukemia remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children under 20.
School administrators appreciate the value of students’ participation in a program that teaches the importance of helping others. Involvement with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society allows students to see first hand that they can make a positive impact in the lives of others.
“This is a wonderful program for us to take part in, and the results of our students’ efforts will benefit an outstanding organization. The students had a lot of fun competing with the other homerooms while learning how a little can truly go a long way. I would like to commend the students, parents, and staff on their tremendous efforts. Our original goal was $1500, which we doubled. A special thanks to MainSource Bank for helping us count the coins,” Greenburg Jr. High School counselor April Caudill said
During the 2005-2006 school year 215 schools participated in the Pennies for Patients program across Indiana, raising $265,000.
“The support of Greensburg Junior High students positively impacts our ability to find cures for blood cancers and provide patients and their families with support and information,” Amy Kwas, Executive Director of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, said.
For more information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School & Youth Programs, call Rebecca Scheer at (800) 846-7764 or log onto www.schoolandyouth.org/in. To learn more about programs and services provided by the Indiana Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, call (317) 726-2270 or (800) 846-7764.
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Photos
Visitor Caleb Brock had the pleasure of watching students from Charlie Hoffman’s eight-grade homeroom class duct take his great aunt, teacher Lisa Hayes, to a wall. Caleb was diagnosed with Leukemia in first grade. After a battle of almost 18 months, he was declared in remission. He spent days, weeks, and months at Riley Hospital for Children receiving treatment. He is Leukemia free but must return to Riley every six months for tests and maintenance activity for the cancer. contributed photo