Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Boynton Beach has an active community service program, in which students get school credit for public service projects.
Jennifer Hamilton, 28, an eighth-grade science teacher at the school, has organized her students to participate in this year?s Pennies for Pasta initiative sponsored by The Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Children collect pennies and loose change for The Leukemia Lymphoma Society, the voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin?s disease and myeloma, with the intent of raising money to find a cure.
?Each year we pick one or two charities and my students especially like this one because leukemia is the No. 1 cancer affecting children,? said Hamilton, who is also the student council advisor and heads up the drama department.
?Also, this year, our chorus teacher, Amy Clark, was diagnosed with lymphoma, so we all feel a particular kinship with this cause.?
Since 1994, millions of dollars have been raised in pennies and other spare change collected by elementary, middle and high school students for the society.
Hamilton has galvanized the school and has more than 50 teachers and their classes participating in the effort. Last year they raised $3,800 raised and this year are on track to raise a minimum of $4,000.
With incentives, such as a cookie party for raising $100, a doughnut party for raising $200 and a pizza party for $300, the class to raise the most each week earns an ice cream party.
At the end of the fundraiser, the class that collects the most money gets a pasta party courtesy of the Olive Garden restaurant, the event sponsor.
?Jennifer has led this fundraiser in the past, but this year it has special meaning for us because of our chorus teacher, Amy Clark, being diagnosed with lymphoma,? Principal Jeff Silverman said. ?Students are given little boxes to take around to their homes, friends, neighbors, trick-or-treating, etc., and collect miscellaneous change.?
He added,? The kids have been bringing in these boxes for the past two weeks and Jennifer takes them to Coin Star where they are traded in for cash. So far, all these pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters have totaled over $3,000, which will be donated directly to support cancer research.?
Angela Gasperson, The Leukemia Lymphoma Society campaign manager for Palm Beach County said each classroom competes to see who can raise the most with the winning classroom receiving a catered pasta party, provided by the Olive Garden restaurant.
?Thanks to research, nearly 90 percent of children with acute leukemia are now cured, but there still is a long way to go. Since leukemia affects more children than any other cancer, our School Youth Programs provide a meaningful way for kids to help other kids. Every penny really does make a difference.?
?We currently have over 85 people signed up to run in a School Youth Program in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast with a goal to raise over $128,000. We?re grateful to Jennifer and her classroom for helping us reach our goal.?
Visit lls.org/pb or call 561-775-995. To donate to Jennifer Hamilton?s students? efforts, visit schoolandyouth.org or email jennifer.hamilton@palmbeachschools.org.
Article source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-bbf-pasta-1114-20121114,0,932204.story?track=rss
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