Kindergarten through fifth-grade students at the school are being asked to donate change as part of the “Pennies for Patients” campaign that kicked off on March 3. The goal is to raise funds that will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or LLS. Monies generated from the three-week event will aid LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Event Co-Coordinator Kristen Lane said they hope to exceed their total from last year.
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“Garvin Memorial School raised more than $3,600 for the organization last year,” said Lane, who is spearheading efforts again for the second straight year. “Students really worked hard last year to bring in whatever change they could to help out. We are hoping to raise even more money for LLS.”
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There is another incentive for the students. Besides doing a good deed by helping those less fortunate, the Garvin class that donates the most money receives a pizza party from Domino’s. Jill Giarrusso’s first-grade class took the honor last year at Garvin by raising nearly $600. The impressive part about their total was that it arrived in all loose change—no bills, said Lane.
Lane and Co-Coordinator Beth McIlroy believe getting students involved in community service will serve a greater purpose as they continue growing.
“We are teaching our students that they can do something that helps other people,” Lane said. “It does not have to be something big; every little act can make a huge difference in someone else’s life.”
While the drive features pennies, donations in any amount and currency are accepted. LLS have invested more than $875 million in research, including $303,000 from Rhode Island last year.
Anyone can also make a tax-deductible donation through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s website at http://ri.syllsevent.org.
