The students of Perry’s St. Patrick’s Catholic School have been enjoying a remodeled and refurbished playground this school year, and now they have taken a role in helping to pay for the fun they have been having.
The Raccoon Valley Bank sent piggy banks home with every St. Patrick’s student, from preschool through eighth grade approximately one month ago. Students were asked to save their change, and, if possible collect donations, all with the goal of raising funds that would be used to defray some of the costs of the project.
Representatives from each class brought the coins — along with some cash and a few checks — their classrooms had collected over the past month to the Raccoon Valley Bank Thursday to see how quickly their change would add up.
The bank had pledged a donation of $250 on top of what the students collected, with each class vying for top honors, which would earn the those students a pizza party.
Some bags were heavier than others but all generated excitement as the coins were dumped into an automated counting machine. Smiles quickly spread as totals were released, with the preschool’s 34-student contingent the first to be counted.
The $334.57 collected by the youngest set held the place of honor until the 15-student fourth grade made a splash with $401.07, thus earning bragging rights, and, importantly in the eyes of the students, pizza.
Lathum noted no class was a loser, as all would be treated to an ice cream party Oct. 29.
When all was counted the students had saved $1,529.42, to which the bank added $250 for a total donation of $1,779.42.
“This was a great exercise,” St. Patrick’s principal Doug Lathum said. “The money is a nice gift, but the kids learned about saving and about giving and that is what matters most.”
Great article! Is it possible to put a shortened version in the Communicator?
Thanks, Sue. Yes, please feel free to use any or all of this story.