Machesney Park Girl Gets Entire School To Rally Behind St. Jude
A sixth-grader at Olson Park Elementary had an idea that got her whole school behind Q98.5's 'Million Pennies For St. Jude' campaign.
Because of the efforts of individuals and businesses in and around Rockford, we're well on the way to collecting one million pennies. The $10,000 will go to our Country Cares For St. Jude Kids radiothon happening February 7 and 8, 2019. And, as more and more pennies come in, often times there's a story attached. A perfect example is a sixth-grader in Machesney Park.
Brianna listens to Lil Zim & JB In The Morning on Q98.5 every day before school. One day in October she heard the idea of collecting a million pennies for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where researchers are tirelessly to understand, treat and defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Patients' families never receive a bill from the hospital. Brianna knows a lot about St. Jude and wanted to get behind the initiative, but she didn't want to do it alone. She wanted her whole school involved. Her idea made that happen.
Brianna approached Olson Park Elementary's assistant principal with the idea of awarding an extra recess to the classroom that collected the most pennies. She obliged and a fourth-grade class prevailed and was awarded the prize. Because of Brianna's efforts, the school was about to collect 3,200 pennies ($32.00). And, with every charitable monetary donation, every penny counts, literally. In appreciation, Brianna received a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital gift pack and cheers and high-fives from her peers, teachers, and myself.
If you haven't dug into your couch cushions or checked your vehicle's floorboards or collected change at home, what are you waiting for? Be like Brianna and take a step toward beating cancer.
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