GLEN ELLYN — The children of Misericordia Home in Chicago will have a vital heart monitoring system, thanks to the efforts of students at St. Petronille Catholic School in Glen Ellyn.
Seventh graders Emma Yatzkan and Maddie Huels organized a fundraiser for the home, which both students' families have long supported.
The non-profit organization Misericordia offers a variety of residential services and programs for both children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Chicago area.
As part of the fundraiser, classes at the school participated in "penny wars." Each class was given a five-gallon jug to fill with as many pennies as possible to earn points for a popsicle party. In order to bring down the scores of other classrooms, students put nickels, dimes and quarters into their jugs.
Although each class earned points for pennies and lost points for silver coins, all the money ultimately went to the Misericordia Home.
Emma and Maddie's goal was to raise $500 for the heart monitoring system, but the school exceeded that goal by raising $2,700 in just four days of penny wars, held Jan. 28 through 31.
The girls took the change to Wheaton Bank & Trust, 211 S. Wheaton Ave., where they used the coin counting machines to count and divide the change.
The school presented a check for Misericordia during a pep rally Feb. 1.
For those interested in supporting Misericordia, the organization will host its annual fundraising event Candy Days April 27 and 28. For more information, call 773-273-2768, email
candydays@misericordia.com or visit www.misericordia.org.
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