WAYNE COUNTY, Tuesday, May 2, 2017 – Spare change adds up to make a big difference. Especially when 22 Wayne County schools come together to participate in the Pennies for a Purpose campaign – a drive to support local programs and services provided by the American Red Cross.
In February and March, area students decorated water bottles, donated by Culligan of Goldsboro, and used the bottles to collect pennies, and other loose coins.
The effort raised $13,315 for the American Red Cross in Wayne County.
During the fundraiser, schools also competed for the best decorated water bottle.
Carver Heights Elementary (pictured: apple tree jug) and Grantham Middle School (pictured: giraffe jug) took top prizes for their jug designs and received a cash prize.
Schools that raised more than $1,000 were entered into a drawing for a $300 prize and Mt Olive Middle School was selected. Congratulations to all winners!
“We are so thankful for every student, teacher and parent who walked by a jug and donated their pennies,” said Vicki LaBelle, executive director of the American Red Cross, serving Wayne County. “For the Red Cross, every penny makes a difference when helping community members in need.”
Last year, the Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina, provided disaster relief and recovery services to 1,370 residents. The organization also collected 126,070 units of blood to meet the needs of local patients; served more than 18,891 military members and their families; and trained 62,542 people in lifesaving skills such as CPR/First Aid and Aquatics.
Pennies for a Purpose campaign donations and other charitable contributions from community members help ensure the Red Cross is ready and able to provide vital services to Wayne County residents when they need it most.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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