Pennies for Patients makes cents

If you surf your way to the home page of Cherokee Middle School, you learn that the Springfield, Missouri, school is where “students make a difference.” The Mid-America Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society certainly agrees.

Cherokee Builders Club member Amanda Golden is thanked for her club’s part in a Pennies for Patients fundraiser by local and district Kiwanians.

Led by members of the Cherokee Builders Club, students collected more than US$2,300 in spare change for the society during a Pennies for Patients fundraiser. The top fundraising class—and winner of a pizza party—was the seventh grade, which collected almost $300. A sixth-grade student was the largest contributor, toting in a half gallon of silver coins totaling $253.60.

“Many students gave up their allowance or savings to help fund the research that could find a cure,” says Sherrie Bellmer, the club’s advisor.

“I am so proud of all our students,” says Matt Pearce, principal of the school. “They did a great job of giving selflessly, and they really understood that the cause was worthy and the money would help those affected.”