One penny can save a life. And that’s why student council helps sponsor the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society each year by hosting a fundraiser called Pennies for Patients each year. The purpose of the fundraiser is to help pay for blood cancer research, treatments for those who have leukemia and to provide the general population with information and support.

“Student council enjoys doing this project each year, but we have never taken it on in such a large scale,” club sponsor Madi Houston said. “We are hoping to raise more money this year.”

Pennies for Patients funds a large part of leukemia and lymphoma related research in the U.S., as well as eight other countries.

In the past, student council has generated as much as $2,000 for the fundraiser, but this year they are trying to collect $3,000 over a 3-week period.
“We have a range of events for every student and faculty member to participate,” Houston said.

Week one, from Feb. 13-17, will include “Rockin’ Orange” t-shirt sales before school in the ‘R’, Penny Wars for students to “vote” on a teacher who will later be duct taped to the wall, a “Chuck Your Change” car clean-out after school in the student parking lot, online donations, classroom coin collecting and ticket sales for Movies on the Green.

The second week, Feb. 20-24, will continue with many of the same activities. Movies on the Green will be Feb. 23 at 6 p.m., and students must find their own transportation to the event. Penny Wars, online donations and “Chuck your Change” will extend.

The last week of collections, Feb. 27 – March 3, will be centered around the faculty basketball game, where there will be a “Stuck for a Buck” event. The game will be held during Advocate March 3, and other fundraisers will wrap up, including online donations, classroom collecting and “Chuck Your Change.”

“This is going to be a great project,” Houston said. “Every student and teacher has a chance to get involved, and can help out by starting an online donation page.There will be prizes for the top fundraisers, including a celebration lunch provided by Olive Garden.”