Students count the ways they can help children
Over $1,400 raised in pennies for leukemia and lymphoma patients
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Students at Greenbrook Elementary School have raised almost $1,460 this month for the Pennies for Patients program, with proceeds going to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The fundraiser began on April 7 and ran untilApril 25.Melanie Pagonis, a student assistance counselor, was contacted last year by the Northern New Jersey chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and she decided to participate in the event. Over $1,300 was raised last year, which has already been surpassed this year.

"It gives children an opportunity to do something good for a child who's sick," Pagonis said.

Pagonis said the students have been great this year.

"They've been very responsive," she said. "One classroom alone [Ms. Julie Johnson's second-grade class] has raised over $400."

Pagonis added that the students are really making a concerted effort to get as much money as they can.

"They're earning the money," she said. "They're not just asking their parents for money. They're doing chores around the house, yard work."

Each classroom has a decorated collection bucket. Donations can also be made online at www.schoolandyouth.org/nnj.

Thousands of schools throughout New Jersey and the nation are participating in this event. Last year, students raised $18 million to help patients with lymphoma and leukemia. So far in 2008, $630,000 has been raised by schools throughout the U.S., according to the society's Web site.