Making a difference one coin at a time is what drove student generosity at Engleman Elementary.
Led by the student-run Character Council, the schoolwide “Coins for Cancer” fundraiser concluded with a total collection of $2,821, all of which was donated to the Grace Cancer Foundation to support local families.
The five-day initiative found students bringing in jars of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to school each day to contribute. What began as a simple collection drive quickly transformed into a powerful lesson in empathy and leadership.
The Engleman Student Character Council is a group of student leaders dedicated to promoting positive school culture. Fourth- and fifth-grade students are nominated by Engleman staff to participate in the yearlong organization to help plan and promote projects to their peers that support the message of, “Be respectful. Be responsible. Be safe.” For the “Coins for Cancer” project, students on the Character Council led communication efforts to their classmates and helped tabulate donation totals.
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“As a staff we are incredibly proud of the Engleman community for the compassion and generosity shown during our Coins for Cancer fundraiser,” Tracy Nelson, Engleman fourth-grade teacher and Character Council sponsor, said. “Cancer has touched the lives of many families and watching our students rally together to support those in Grand Island has been truly inspiring.”
And it all came together for a special ceremony.
On Friday, the whole school gathered in a morning assembly where the Character Council students presented a “big check” for $2,821 to the Grace Cancer Foundation (GCF) Executive Director, Sarah Koch. The funds will go directly toward supporting the work of GCF as they provide assistance for those navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
The Grace Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families through financial assistance, emotional support and community resources. Seeing students come together to make a difference in the lives of countless local families battling cancer made the donation feel especially meaningful to the GCF team.
“I am just so incredibly proud of all of these Engleman students for the heart and hard work you put into this year’s Coins for Cancer drive,” Sarah Koch, Grace Cancer Foundation executive director, shared. “Raising $2,821 is truly amazing, and every single coin collected shows their kindness, compassion, and willingness to help others. Because of them, we’re able to continue supporting individuals and families facing cancer right here in our community. Engleman students should be so proud of what they’ve accomplished; they are making a real and meaningful difference.”
For Engleman Elementary, the “Coins for Cancer” drive was more than a fundraiser — it was an opportunity for the students to make a positive impact in their community by being a part of something bigger than themselves. By turning pocket change into a significant charitable contribution, these young leaders have set a standard for community service that will not only do good, but make a lasting impact.
Because even a little change can make a big difference.
