GARVIN MEMORIAL SCHOOL RAISES $2,700 FOR “PENNIES” CAMPAIGN

CUMBERLAND—For the second straight year, first graders from Jill Giarrusso’s class raised the most money for the “Pennies for Patients” campaign aiding the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Giarrusso’s students collected $289.31 of the nearly $2,700 raised from Garvin Memorial School. Coming in a close second with $269.55 was Judith Nangle’s first-grade class. Kristen Lane’s fourth-grade students raised a total of $227.58. As a result of coming in first place, Giarrusso’s class received a pizza party catered by Domino’s

“I am very proud of how seriously my students took this challenge.” said Giarrusso, whose class raised $500 last year to earn first place. “Although we talked about the pizza party reward, we really focused on how we were helping people going through a difficult time.  We learned every penny really does count!”

Kindergarten through fifth-grade students at the school were asked to donate change for the campaign that ran from March 3-21. The goal was raising funds that were then donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or LLS. Monies generated from the three-week event will help LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Lane, who served as the campaign’s co-coordinator with Beth McIlroy, said the school is grateful for the contributions from the students.

“The fundraiser not only serves to increase funds for a worthwhile cause such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but it also teaches the kids about caring for others and helping out when you can,” said Lane. “The school is proud to have helped this organization.”

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.