By
Kadey Heidrich
Pasadena ISD Communications
Representatives from Teague Elementary were honored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during the August 25 meeting of Pasadena ISD’s Board of Trustees.
Valorie Morris, principal at Teague Elementary, along with Stacey Redwine, a fourth-grade teacher at Teague, accepted the recognition on behalf of the campus.
“We chose Pennies for Patients because we’ve had students and teachers battle this disease,” said Teague principal Valorie Morris. “It is a cause that is close to our heart.”
The campus was recognized for raising $20,015 over a period of eight years for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Pennies for Patients fundraiser.
Each year, staff and students participate in the Pennies for Patients fundraiser through grade-level and school-wide competitions. At the beginning of the competition, individual students and classrooms are provided a box to collect change or small bills in, with the goal of having the heaviest box. At the end of the fundraising drive, the class in each grade that has the heaviest collection box will receive a popcorn party. The class with the heaviest collection box for the school wins a pizza party.
It is estimated that the funds raised by Pennies for Patients could provide funding for 200 patients in the First Connection program, 20 weeks of the Clinical Trial Support Center or 10 weeks of blood cancer research.