The 20 children in Marlene Borjas’ kindergarten class at PACES learned valuable lessons this fall in helping others in need by mounting a Penny Drive service learning project.
The Penny Drive started Oct. 1 and ended Nov. 30, and its goal was to raise $200 for kids in treatment at Mercy One Medical Center in Des Moines. Each PACES kindergartner had a personalized donation bank, and many brought back their banks full three or four times — sometimes with denominations larger than a penny.
By the time the deadline was reached, the children had raised $330.45, and along the way they learned what a donation is and what is the difference between needs and wants.
Mercy One Foundation Senior Director of Development Sophia Ahmad visited the PACES class Thursday to collect the funds and to thank the children for caring. She said the Penny Drive money will be used for equipment for children with serious medical needs as well as toys and books for children in recovery.
Borjas, now in her sixth year as kindergarten teacher, and Assistant Teacher Wanda Brelsford said the PACES youngsters learned the joy of giving back and becoming community helpers.
Twenty-two-year PACES Director Mary Hillman was also on hand to congratulate the Penny Drive children.
