For almost 20 years, City Park Elementary has participated in a Pennies for Presents fundraiser to serve local families in need during the holiday season.

This year, City Park students and staff raised over $2,000 in what turned out to be over 590 pounds of coins and cash.

“We ask our students to show compassion for other children and families by helping raise money,” said City Park school counselor Emily Jones. “Each homeroom has a collection container of its choosing. The students bring in coins or dollar bills to add to their homerooms container. 100 pennies equals a half a pound so a $1 bill equals half a pound in weight.”

According to Jones, after the final weigh-in, the homeroom in Pre-K through second grade and third through fifth grade that had the most weight won a pizza party.

“Students have opportunities to use math in several ways with this service project: calculating monetary amounts in homerooms, comparing weights and the hallway display of 1 penny equals 10 pounds,” Jones said. “We are so grateful to have such a caring and compassionate school. All homerooms participated, no matter how big or small. They all showed that they care.”
 
The money collected was donated to Sharing is Caring Community Christmas of Dalton, Georgia. Sharing is Caring Community Christmas works to provide Christmas for children in Whitfield County who are living in poverty or whose family’s circumstances might prevent them from receiving Christmas gifts.

“Our mission at City Park is to build on our legacy by providing opportunities of hope, celebrating success and empowering families,” Jones said. “Services projects like Pennies for Presents, not only provide opportunities and empower the families that will benefit from the money donated, but also the families donating. Coins are something that are easily accessible and recognizable by all students. They take pride in helping out their fellow students which builds school pride and closer connection to success in school.”