THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604240191
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Students at Lynnhaven Middle School didn't know how much loose change they had until they started pitching pennies this year to raise funds for the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad at the Oceanfront.
They, and their teachers and administrators, thought that maybe $100 would be collected in the allotted time, from January through March. Empty plastic milk jugs in several classrooms housed the pennies, which were thrown in after lunch or whenever the teachers said ``OK, it's penny time.''
It wasn't that much of a sacrifice. The students just tossed in a few pennies here and there without even thinking. They sure didn't expect those little cents to add up to more than $700.
Assistant principal John Romano said that everyone was amazed at the amount.
``It really took off; it was incredible,'' said Romano. ``We made a point that we didn't want this to be a competition thing. The kids gave from their hearts.''
The sixth- and seventh-grade classes gave their pennies to the rescue squad while the eighth-grade classes decided to donate their pennies to Jason DeGutis, a First Colonial High student who is battling cancer.
Romano said that the penny idea began as part of the citizenship section in the school's strategic plan. Every school has a strategic plan which encompasses study skills, at-risk students and citizenship.
``The citizenship section deals with how to make good citizens out of our children and help them give back to the community,'' said Romano. ``The kids had a great time and really enjoyed it. We'll definitely do it again next year.''
Romano invited the rescue squad over to accept the check during the school's recent covered wagon races where students raced covered wagons that they built. Emergency Medical Technician Julie Wiley accepted the check amid the fanfare and deafening cheers.
``Wow, that's a lot of pennies,'' she said with a grin, after Romano handed her the check. ``At this point in time we'll take pennies if it's pennies.''
No one was more surprised at the donation than Scott Kalis, a lieutenant with the volunteer rescue squad. He said that members service 11 or 12 schools in the area and Lynnhaven Middle was the first one he knew of to give any money.
``I was completely caught off guard,'' Kalis said. ``It's very rare that kids in a school would give money to a rescue squad. Most would go mainstream, like for Habitat for Humanity. It really touched us.''
The $716.76 will pay for 10 backboards or four ambulance tires, he added.
``We don't get federal funds and no money from the city,'' said Kalis. ``The city pays for our fuel and utilities at some of the stations. Every penny really helps.'' by CNB