North Bellmore Turns Small Change Into Large Donation

NORTH BELLMORE, NY — Students, staff and families in the North Bellmore School District donated the equivalent of two million pennies – or $20,000 — to support cancer research. All five elementary schools participated in the recent Pennies for Patients drive, a national campaign in which proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeff Rosof said that the district partnered with the building PTAs for this successful fundraiser. His school, the largest in the district, raised almost $9,300 alone. And of that, more than $1,000 came from Michelle Mittler and Tracy Kelly’s first grade class.

Mittler explained that her class set a goal of raising $250, or $5 per student. They exceed the goal in the first week and quadrupled it by the end of the drive. She noted that several of her students set up online accounts to get donations from family members.

“The students were motivated, as we talked about how the money will be used to help people,” Mittler said. “We are so proud of their hard work. It’s wonderful to be a part of such a caring community of children and their families.”

Added Superintendent Marie Testa, “Bravo to the North Bellmore community for coming together to raise money for such a worthy cause.”