47 SCHOOLS TO DONATE $50,125.59!
During the ‘Gathering Pennies’ phase of the Penny Harvest, Student around Columbus were charged with collecting as many ‘pennies’ as they possibly could from October 24th to November 28th. They were encouraged to ask family and friends for their loose change. This change was then collected at the schools into special canvas sacks, prominently displayed in each classroom.
Many schools encouraged contests for popcorn parties, pizza parties, extra recesses, even duct-taping a teacher to a wall if a certain number of sacks were collected! All done in the spirit of raising as much money as they could for the charity of their choice.
Well, the kids should be very proud of their Harvest this year! All 47 schools combined raised $50,125.59 in loose change! The total number of sacks collected was 694.74 with a sack average of $72.15. This means that for every sack that the school collected, the students will have $72.15 to give away in the form of Penny Harvest community or service grants this year. 
The schools know how much money they raised to give back to their community. Currently, the student leaders are diligently researching issues from their Wheel of Caring. Soon, they will interview organizations and the entire school will participate in the decision as to WHO will be awarded their ‘pennies’.
Thank you Student Leaders and Coaches in all the important work you are doing! Many, many worthwhile nonprofit organizations are going to benefit from your dedication to your community. And Columbus will benefit from the numerous Philanthropist created out of the process!