The “Bring the Change” coin drive surpassed last year’s efforts
Hurffville Elementary School second-graders proved the attitude of gratitude starts early in Washington Township. As a way to honor their classmate Mackenzie Heil, a cancer survivor who was treated at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the class chose the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as their charity of choice. They used a one-week “Bring the Change” fundraiser to collect $3,163.17 to donate to the organization. LLS representative Genna Toye gratefully accepted the donation during a presentation on Nov. 21 at the school.
“I shared with Kenzie and her classmates how hard the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society works for people with blood cancers and how thankful we are for their amazing fundraising efforts,” Toye said. “We are so happy that Kenzie is doing well and so pleased this school has been so supportive.”
The students got creative in seeking loose change from the school’s students, teachers and staff by labeling Monday as “Patriotic Penny Day;” “Neon Nickel Day” followed on Tuesday; Wednesday was “Dazzling Dime Day;” Thursday was “Crazy Quarter Day;” and Friday was “Team Up for Leukemia Day,” when students donned their favorite sports team jerseys or colors and donated coins and bills.
“We are so proud of the Hurffville students and staff for contributing so generously to this worthy cause,” second-grade teacher Stephanie Bruno said.
This year’s total surpassed last year’s effort, which had earned the school a plaque from LLS as the top fundraising school in New Jersey.
Heil, sporting her “#teamkenzie” shirt, presented a check to Toye during the school’s morning announcements.
The Heil family — parents Gina and Dave and siblings Justin, Drew, Landon, PK and Brindley — all will be traveling to Atlantis in the Bahamas on Monday, Nov. 27, courtesy of the Make A Wish Foundation which has granted Kenzie’s wish to swim with the dolphins.
