Students from Becker’s seventh grade classes held a week-long “Penny Challenge War” between Jumpstarts (advisory rooms). 

 

Penny wars fundraisers are often used in schools or similar settings to raise money for a shared goal while engaging participants in a friendly, spirited competition. Classes compete against each other to collect the most pennies, which are then used to purchase something for the school or organization or donated.

 

Sue Block's class (Math) won the war by having the least amount of negative pennies.  As a result, they gained all the money collected during the week to donate to their chosen charity — The Wounded Warriors Project.  

 

The total amount raised in the war from all seventh-grade students was $1,068.17!

 

Taylor Storlien, one of Block’s seventh-grade students submitted this message:

 

“Our seventh grade jumpstart decided to donate money to the Wounded Warrior Project because veterans have sacrificed so much for our country. It's unfortunate organizations like this have to exist, however we feel it is our duty to help.” 

 

Even though we can never fully repay them what they lost in battle, we can make it our mission to help them as much as we can. 

 

In 2016, questions came about concerning the amount of money spent on fundraising events at WWP. Since then, the WWP has hired a new CEO, Mike Linnington, who is dedicated to helping the welfare of post-9/11 veterans. Their plans for 2017 are to increase investments in mental health care and also increase and strengthen relationships with community organizations. They plan to continue to serve, connect, and empower wounded warriors.”