MADISON – A group at Heritage Elementary School collected what most people consider an insignificant item as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“The St. Jude Club at Heritage has sponsored several fun fundraising events this fall to benefit the children of St. Jude. In early November we had a ‘Penny War’,” Principal Dr. Georgina Nelson said.

“Penny War was a blast,” Nelson said. “We raised a ton of money for St. Jude.” $2258.58 to be exact.

“As a Leader in Me school, we have clubs during school to give everyone an opportunity to be involved … and show leadership,” St. Jude Club sponsor and fourth-grade teacher Katie Scruggs said.

“We have students and staff who have benefited from St. Jude’s. The Penny War was an idea I brought to my ‘FUNdraising’ club. They loved the idea, and the war planning began,” Scruggs said.

Students delivered pennies to a container in their classrooms. Containers were located in the library on Nov. 5-8. Students brought pennies each morning from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

“Did they get excited? Who doesn’t like a competition? It was like Christmas morning,” Scruggs said. “The kids waited for me to announce totals. Then, they stormed the library with excitement.”

Student Caitlin Lach said, “It really felt good because you knew you were doing it for a good cause. It was also fun because you wanted to win. It feels good to win!”

Viswa Mandadapu has glad to help St. Jude. “Congratulations for Mrs. Parker’s class for winning. It was all in fun and for a good cause.”

Students counted all pennies, a joint effort by FUNdraising Club, expanded-day students and some teachers’ children. Fifth-graders counted the final day’s pennies.

Heritage teachers will present the money at the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis in December.

Elizabeth Parker’s first-grade class was declared the winner. “Mrs. Parker will kiss Penelope the Pig. Her class will enjoy a pizza party to celebrate the win,” Scruggs said.

Currently, Heritage does not have a patient at St. Jude. However, a current student that received treatments at St. Jude’s is now in remission.

In other Heritage fundraisers, Nurse Emry Bryan won a pumpkin decorating contest. Students participated in Hat Day and will duct tape Nelson and assistant principal Gerald Franks on Nov. 30.