Just a few weeks ago, the JHS REFs (Role Models Encouraging Freshmen) held a regular meeting before school. However, this meeting was a little different. Jacob Roth, a junior REF at JHS, decided it was about time the advisories help leukemia patients who need financial help.
Alex Hays, one of the three current REF leaders at JHS, gave Jacob a lot of information about the fundraiser called “Pennies for Patients.” Jacob modified some of the material for JHS so our school could take part in the fundraiser.
The eight new REF leaders for next year are in charge of the fundraiser. So far they have made a video to raise awareness around the school about what the Penny War is raising money for and where all the money is going. The eight leaders are David Albers, Adam Enz, Emily Graham, Katie Hackett, Katie Linder, Jacob Roth, and Rebecca Villa. They are extremely dedicated to raising as much money as they can to help leukemia patients.
One REF from each advisory was given a “penny box” to collect the pennies each class earns. Each advisory sets an overall goal to achieve, and once they reach that goal, they get a reward, but they also set little money goals along the way to keep them motivated.
One advisory set a mini goal for $150, and once they reach that goal, the advisory teacher, Mr. Homolka, one REF in the advisory, Josh Smith, and one freshman student, Zach Stout, agreed to shave their heads. The advisory’s overall goal is $250, and those three agreed to permanently dye their hair crazy colors if they reach that overall goal.
Other advisories set goals similar to those, and some of the rewards are as crazy as pie throwing or as laid back as movie days.
Including each advisory, whichever class raises the most pennies gets a pizza party, and whichever advisory raises to most money total, also gets a pizza party.
All penny boxes were placed in the cafeteria this past Monday, the 16th, so anyone from the school can donate money. Students or REFs in other advisories can also “bomb” their rivals. For example, if a person puts a dime in an advisory’s box it takes away ten pennies.
Jacob Roth said, “There’s really no specific goal, as long as each advisory reaches its goal.” However, Roth is hoping for a ball park number of about $3,600.
One senior, a current REF leader, Holden Jones, said, “Pennies for Patients is an exciting opportunity for our school to work together to achieve a common goal: saving lives.”
The big picture of this fundraiser is to help patients with leukemia. JHS has many fortunate students, and the least students can do is help other people their age who are facing cancer. If someone donates a dollar or even five dollars, in a month he or she won’t even remember spending it. It’s little things like pennies that can change a person’s life.