Reed students once again raised thousands of dollars for a project of the school's choosing on Wednesday, June 8, when this year's Pushcart Day was held.

Sixth grade students in Petrice DiVanno and Matt Dalton's cluster, Maura Drabik and Todd Stentiford's cluster, Michelle Vaccaro and Courtney Martin's cluster, and in Dawn Ford and Julia Shull's cluster all participated in the effort.

The annual Pushcart Day effort was inspired by the book The Pushcart Wars by author Jean Merrill. The book tells the fictional story of a clash between pushcart vendors in New York City and the increasing truck traffic that competed for space. Students work to create their own "pushcarts" after reading the story. They compete, like in the book, to sell goods.

This year the students raised $4,130 by selling items that included lollipops, Italian ices, homemade cookies, homemade dog treats and snacks.

Brothers Michael and Will Connors and their friend Matt Jacobs - in a hot dog costume for the day - sold out of hot dogs, chips and water early at their pushcart.

"We sold out in like an hour," said Michael.

According to Mr Dalton, Katelyn Zaneski and Amalia Escalera were the top earners for the day, raising more than $300 with their pushcart selling milk and ice-blended chocolate drinks.

Ms Drabik said students learned about marketing skills, math skills and the history of pushcarts as part of the project.

"They have raised the level of complexity," Mr Dalton said about this year's projects.

With her students busily working around her, Ms Ford said, "I think they are doing really well."

According to the educators, this year's plan is to use the funds to build a well through the Well Done Organization, possibly in Liberia or another location in need.