Editor’s Note: This story was originally published an incorrect total of the amount of pennies collected due to a typographical error in the information received from Unaka Elementary School. The story has now been updated to include the correct total of 25,000 pennies for a total of $250.

Pennies can go a long way!
Last week, students at Unaka Elementary collected pennies for the Samaritan’s Purse Organization. Each class collected as many pennies as possible. With these pennies, each class chose a special Christmas gift to send to a child in need.
Unaka students collected over 25,000 pennies which equals out to $250! With the pennies students were able to send: materials to drill a freshwater well, soccer balls, blankets, baby chicks, books, and other items. In addition to these, UES students are most proud of their ability to send enough support to feed a child and baby for six weeks.
“Students were not given an incentive for participating in this penny drive. It was truly a selfless act that they wanted to do before the holiday season.” said Lacey Dugger, Librarian at Unaka Elementary School.
Students from Mrs. Nikki’s Collins fifth grade class collected enough pennies to provide a family the ability to drill their own freshwater well. “I am so happy that we were able to do this for a family. It will really make a difference in their lives,” said Savannah McGinnis, a student in Mrs. Collins’ class.