A Penny War that Raised Over $1700

Have you ever heard of a war where everyone wins? Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy in Longmeadow, MA were recently involved in a battle between grades to benefit all. This event is called Penny Wars.

LYA Middle School girls coordinated the school fundraiser to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy. LYA students, toddlers through eighth grade, raised $1714.00 in pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters in ten days. Proceeds were donated through the Chabad Hurricane Relief Fund.

Each of the grade levels had a container outside of their classroom in which students and staff placed pennies. The middle school students assigned themselves to assist younger students keep track of their donations. Posters advertising the fundraiser were designed by the middle school students.

“Penny Wars created an excitement at LYA that energized students, staff and parents”, commented Dr. Mitchell Kupperman, LYA Educational Director.

Penny Wars had a strategic side to it. Every penny in a jar was worth one point. Every coin that was not a penny caused points to be deducted. Each day enthusiastic students came into LYA with bags, wallets and knapsacks filled with coins. Students planned and strategized about the best containers in which to place their coins to try to keep their class in the lead. Each night points were posted on www.lya.org.

The excitement of Penny Wars grew each day until the final day. It was amazing to see how many penny rolls came out of hiding. Classes had been stockpiling almost $500 worth of pennies that were brought out in the final hours.

“Penny Wars was a win-win for our school and the broader community”, remarked Dr. Kupperman. “Having a fun competitive experience, where everyone enjoys the process and money is raised to help the Hurricane Sandy Victims is a “war” worth having.”

Comments from students included reflection that; “Students did not become upset if another class put higher denominations in their buckets, since they were happy that they were raising money.”

Second graders said Penny Wars was a vehicle to “say good job” to other classes. Fourth grade students felt that Penny Wars “sharpened their math skills” by counting coins daily. For the winning class, 5th Grade, they felt that “Penny Wars is an excellent example of using the seven habits in a fun way”.

“The winners were ALL the students and staff at LYA and most importantly, victims of Hurricane Sandy. Penny Wars was spent in intense competition for a wonderful cause”, commented Rabbi Noach Kosofsky, LYA Principal.

“The amount of learning that went on during Penny Wars cannot be measured. All the students and staff truly worked together in a cooperative manner to help others in need and we are proud of them all.”

The winning class, Fifth Grade, who ended Penny Wars with 10,301 positive penny points, will celebrate their accomplishments during a pizza party on Chanukah.