PARSIPPANY — Lake Hiawatha School K-Kids showed that saving your pennies counts, during the month of April.
The students sponsored a “Pennies for Patients” fund drive to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The entire school was encouraged to bring in spare change (along with paper money and/or checks, if they preferred). Students in grades as young as kindergarten raided their piggy banks, proudly bringing in baggies of coins to help this worthy cause. The total donation was $1,064.
Lake Hiawatha School Principal Angelina Martino Finnegan said, “We are so proud of the children for showing such altruism and initiative!”
In addition to in-school efforts, three students, Rishi Shah, Andy Shah, and Pranav Munigala, along with their families, went above and beyond. They put together a lemonade/snack stand in their neighborhood, which contributed $227 to the donation. The lemonade stand was a neighborhood hit and served a dual purpose, as it raised awareness about leukemia and the value of the K-Kids program.
K-Club mentor Mrs. Massey (4th Grade Teacher) said, “Our K-Club members serve as leaders in working with our entire student body. All students are consistently encouraged to play positive, active roles in their community.”
Mrs. Radiotis (3rd Grade Teacher), the other program mentor stated, “Educational elements, including accounting/finance, health and communications strategies were employed in this project. The positive outcome shows the success we can achieve, when compassion and learning come together.”
Lake Hiawatha School K-Kids is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.
Lake Hiawatha School is a public elementary school for students in PreK through Grade 5. Led by Principal, Angelina Martino Finnegan, the school’s motto is SOS, which stands for “Respect for Self, Others and School.” During the 2016-2017 school year, the school has engaged in community projects, including: fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a cold weather clothing collection for the needy, a toy drive for hospitalized children and gathered donations to the local food pantry.
