Last month students at Washington Elementary School in Waukegan collected more than $3,000 in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Olive Garden?s Pasta for Pennies program, which raises funds for blood cancer research and patient services. Since Washington students began participating in the Pasta for Pennies program five years ago, they have collected and donated $11,183.33 to support Illinois families fighting cancer.
Leukemia remains the leading disease-related cause of death for children under 20. More than 800 schools in Illinois registered for LLS?s Pennies programs this school year to help fund life-saving research and services for local patients. Along the way, students learn the value of charity and community service.
Washington Elementary?s 4th and 5th grade student council organized this year?s Pasta for Pennies drive in February and March. For the first two weeks students brought in their loose change and deposited their money into their classroom collection box. The three-week fundraiser culminated with a themed "Pop Away Cancer" Week. To support the school?s fundraising total, students purchased bags of popcorn and red ?Beat Leukemia? bracelets.
?It really helps encourage the students when the staff is behind it, too,? said Nancy Mikkila, assistant to the principal at Washington Elementary. ?This is a wonderful program for Washington students to take part in, and the results of the students? efforts benefit an outstanding program.?
The nine classrooms at Washington Elementary that collected $150 or more were entered into a drawing for a free pasta lunch provided by Olive Garden. The third graders in Ms. Luna?s classroom were the lucky winners of the pasta lunch, while all students from the nine top fundraising classrooms received small treats for their generous contributions.
?We are so appreciative to the students, teachers and staff of Washington Elementary for their passionate involvement,? says LLS Executive Director Pam Swenk. ?Without the commitment of each and every participant, and the dollars raised, we would not be able to invest in the research that is changing the quality of life for kids and adults fighting blood cancers.?
School & Youth Programs include:
? Pennies for Patients?: Value-building, service learning program for students from kindergarten through high school. Students collect funds, starting with their own spare change, to support research and patient services programs for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The school can run the Pennies program for any three week period October through April that works for their school calendar.
? Olive Garden?s Pasta for Pennies: Similar to Pennies for Patients, this program is sponsored by Olive Garden Restaurant. Students collect spare change, and the class raising the most money in each school receives a pasta party courtesy of Olive Garden. Olive Garden also hosts kickoff luncheons for representatives of participating schools in each city and provides marketing support and materials for the program.
? The Trish Greene Back to School Program for Children with Cancer helps children return to school and other activities once their treatments are over.
For more information on the School & Youth Programs in Illinois, or to learn how to register your school, visit www.schoolandyouth.org/il or call (312) 651-7358.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ? (LLS) is the world?s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin?s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.
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