Becker Middle School Penny War Challenge!

If you see a penny on the ground, do you pick it up? I do.  Going forward, whenever I pick up a penny I will think of the 7th grade students and staff at Becker Middle School in Becker, Minnesota. For one week the students of Becker Middle School held a Penny War Challenge.

The classrooms were challenged to bring in pennies to be donated to a charity.

WOW! WOW! WOW! They certainly rose to the challenge!


In December 2013 Lisa Krause, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, informed me of the fantastic news that ConKerr Cancer was the lucky charity to receive the Penny War Challenge collection of $1626.71!

The winning "Jumpstart/Homeroom" selected ConKerr Cancer after being exposed to the organization in their Life Skills class, where they learned how to sew pillowcases.

After the students made their own pillowcases, they worked together to sew fabric donated by students and teachers.  In addition to the amazing cash donation they also donated 107 colorful pillowcases!

On April 1st, after having to reschedule several times because of weather, Bennett and I visited Becker Middle School. We spoke to the 240 7th grade students and teachers about the history of ConKerr Cancer, our experiences with ConKerr Cancer, and the importance of volunteering. We also thanked them for their INCREDIBLE generosity!

We were presented with a "big check" and the wonderful pillowcases.  Bennett and I left the school incredibly impressed by the students.  We could tell they were very proud of their contributions to ConKerr Cancer - as they should be! We are proud of them, too!

Cindy Kerr, founder of ConKerr Cancer, always says, "You never know where a pillowcase will take you." Well, I'm so happy a pillowcase took us to Becker Middle School!  Thank you!