Leukemia is a devastating disease for the people affected and their families, but the youngest of philanthropists are making a difference in Madera through “Pennies for Patients.”
Research relies on funding, and a challenge by a school in Madera has produced remarkable results.
Washington Elementary in Madera is the poorest in terms of demographics but the children were the most generous.
4th grade teacher Heather Chevillier says through “Pennies for Patients” the students have more than met their goal.
“They love it, and what actually shocked us is that we set a goal, you know three years ago, when we started – we work at a low income school, so, we weren’t really sure how well it was going to take off, and then we ended up being for two years in a row, the top school in Madera Unified.” – 4th grade teacher Heather Chevillier, Washington Elementary.
Chevillier says the Washington Elementary students raised a grand total of over 5,000 dollars – in pennies!
“There are just under 800 students at the school, and they thought a goal of 19-hundred dollars was reasonable, in the first week of the two week fundraiser they brought in over $1900 dollars.” – Heather Chevillier, Washington Elementary.
One incentive – the grand prize.
“We had a big competition this year that we haven’t had in the past, that the winning class gets to shave the principal’s head and color his hair, so big incentive for a lot of kids, they were very excited to try and win that, but even if there wasn’t any prize for being the top school- not being given anything – they just love giving back.”
They met their goal..snip snip.
This is the third year for the fundraiser and Chevillier says the students plan to keep up their philanthropic ways next year, as well.
