District 157-C Education Foundation coin drive successful

The recent District 157-C Education Foundation coin drive to enrich education was a huge success.  The grand total raised during the two-week effort was just over $8,200. Students at Grand Prairie Elementary, Chelsea Intermediate and Hickory Creek Middle School participated in the district-wide coin drive in their classrooms to compete for the highest dollar amount.  The coin drive was intended to promote philanthropy and teach the value of money, while also enriching education through Foundation grants for the classrooms.

Chair of the Foundation coin collection drive, Laurie Nicholson, stated, “The Foundation would like to thank the teachers, staff, principals, parents, grandparents, and students at all schools for their effort and generosity.”  All students worked really hard to bring in their coins. Chelsea was the top earning school. Chelsea students in teacher Jennifer Farrell's fourth grade class and teacher Jenell Jaral's third grade class each won the grand prize, a pizza party, for reaching over $400 in each class.  Grand Prairie also contributed a sizable amount with the first grade taking the lead over the other grade levels.  Teachers in first grade are rewarding the students with a special day of fun activities and perks! Students in the eighth grade class of teacher Cheryl  Wojnarowski won the grand prize pizza party at the middle school.             

Community members also participated in the coin drive.  Donation containers were located at generous participating local businesses including Action Sports, Always Open, Alsip Nursery, Ambrosino’s, Aurelio’s, Buenas Nachos, Dr. Robert Cortesi, Culver’s, Durbins, Evilena’s Red Dresser, Frankfort Blackbelt Academy, General Store, Great Clips, Langlois Insurance, Lil Surprises, Lucky Burrito, Mickey’s, Oberweis, Parmesan’s, Pop’s, Primary Eyecare Professionals, Smokey Barque and White Street Gallery.  Foundation members also personally collected coins in front of stores including Jewel and Walgreens.  Nicholson continued, “This is such a generous community.  We are so lucky!  The Foundation will use these funds to carefully grant money back to the schools for various educational materials and programs to enhance learning!”

The Education Foundation has a long history of raising funds to fulfill teacher-written grants for projects and materials in the areas of art, literature, technology, math, music, physical education, science, social studies and character-building programs.  Last year the Foundation awarded $55,697 in grants to the schools with a concentration on technology. In addition, the Foundation proudly funds voter-reading programs at each of the schools, including providing multiple copies of award-winning books and supporting reading reward programs at each school library.  More information is at www.ef157c.org.