Sandy Hook School Penny Drive

Raises Over $650 In Tsunami Relief

By Larissa Lytwyn

Never underestimate the power of pennies.

A weeklong penny drive at Sandy Hook Elementary School held in conjunction with its 100th day of school celebration on February 9 raised more than $650 toward the tsunami relief effort.

“I knew what a big event the 100th day of school was for students here,” said math/science specialist Stephanie Anderson. “I thought it would be a good idea to take it one step further.”

Under Ms Anderson’s direction, the school sent an announcement home the first week of February requesting students to bring in 100 pennies to benefit the tsunami relief effort being managed by Save the Children, a Westport-based nonprofit.

“All we asked for was a dollar, but the students really came out and delivered in droves,” said Ms Anderson. “The response was overwhelming, and very exciting!”

Each donor received a red heart paper cutout with his or her name on it. The hearts were posted in the school’s main lobby hallway.

“We named it the Wall of 100 Hearts,” said Ms Anderson. “But, in fact, as the hearts represent, we had many more than 100 students participate in this project!”

She estimated that “well over half” of the school’s 500-plus students participated in the campaign.

“It was something very special,” said Principal Donna Pagé. “Each year, we tie in a lot of math activities for the students to commemorate the 100th day, but this year took it to a whole new level!”

As the days passed, Ms Anderson posed the ever-growing amount of money collected on the Wall of 100 Hearts.

First grader Liam Decker said he was excited to participate in the penny drive, and loved seeing the amount of money collected grow each day.

“I still can’t believe how much money we raised,” he said. “I know someone who donated 100 quarters.”

This collection of $25 was just one example of many creative ways students gathered money. Many children earned funds by raiding their piggy banks or doing household chores for their parents or neighbors.

“I think this was a very successful effort that I would love to do again next year,” said Ms Anderson. “We would donate the proceeds to another charity.”

She also talked about how wide the participation was across the grades.

“We really had very strong representation from every grade level,” she said. “It was just a wonderful way for our school to come together.”

She also noted the generosity of the town.

“Newtown Savings Bank processed the coins for us,” she said.