Coins for Cancer

USD 420 raises money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Article by Sarah Thompson

Students of OCHS, OCMS, and OCES compete against each other every year to raise money, in the form of coins, for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  This annual fundraiser, put on by the OCHS National Honor Society, is called Pennies for Patients.

USD 420 had a combined goal to raise at least $600 this year to donate to the organization, and they easily surpassed that, earning $634.60 for the 2015 fundraiser. Each branch of Osage City Schools competes against one another to raise the most money, in a friendly competition of course. The rules are different in each school though. For OCMS and OCES, dollar bills are acceptable donations, but for OCHS that isn’t the case. Dollar bills will deduct points from class totals, which makes the competition harder and more exciting, and you can put dollar bills in other classes’ boxes to bring their points down.

According to the high school secretary, Mrs. Patty Brenner, last year’s combined earning between the schools was a staggering $675.69. Second grade won, but this year 4th grade took the lead with $198.69. The juniors were victorious in the high school, raking in $82.38 to combat cancer.

Senior Sarah Peterson, the National Honor Society president, stated that the fundraiser only lasted three weeks. Even though it’s short, Pennies for Patients brings out a competitive spirit in students, and promotes donating to charity and helping others.