Stacey Peterson’s first grade class at Boulder Elementary School brought in the most pennies during the school’s recent Pennies for Peace fundraiser, an accomplishment that earned the students a rootbeer float party.
Pennies for Peace is a service learning program aimed at teaching children in the United States their power as philanthropists and activists in their community and the world. It supports the Central Asia Institute, a Bozeman-based nonprofit that serves poor and rural areas in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
The institute has helped build about 400 schools, women’s vocational centers, water wells and other projects. It also supports girls education in these areas where they are considered little more than property — an object to be exchanged for a dowry and then a servant to take care of the home and children.
Boulder Elementary students have goals for expanding their fundraising efforts next year. We hope to bring Pennies for Peace to Jefferson High, Basin Elementary and other area schools, and to establish more hands-on activities to further motivate students to participate.
The amount of money raised through the collection of pennies was unavailable at press time.
Bree Edwards is an eighth grader at Boulder Elementary.Any Jefferson County students, school staff or parents interested in setting up a Pennies for Peace campaign at their school can contact her at breannae05@icloud.com.
