The Oak Forest High School Key Club has raised over $1,000 for the sixth year in a row through its Pennies for Patients initiative. As of this year, the club has raised over $10,000 in the last decade for various organizations and people in need.
Pennies for Patients works by setting collection bins outside each classroom in Oak Forest High School. Each second-hour class was able to donate pennies and other spare change throughout the month of March. The class that raised the most money was awarded a party.
This year, the initiative raised money for a fellow senior Bengal, Lea Davia, and Julia’s Legacy of Hope.
The top three classes to donate their pennies were Mr. Herbert, 3rd place, Mrs. Genardo and Mrs. Newman's classes in second, and first, Mrs. Galloway's class, which was the first teacher/class to win back-to-back years since the annual event began.
“Congrats to all who helped out big and small,” said Gary Andruch, Oak Forest High School Key Club Sponsor. “There were a few other classes that were very close to 3rd place so this was the most competitive year we have had to date.”
On Friday, March 24, Oak Forest High School held a Julia’s Legacy Assembly - donating a portion of funds collected through various efforts by Key Club, DECA, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Oak Forest High School students as a whole. All funds collected went to the organization in honor of the late Bengal, Julia Janes.
Students who donated money to the organization could attend the assembly, where they played games, listened to a live band, and spent some time with peers. On behalf of Oak Forest High School, Principal Jane Dempsey presented the Janes family with a check for $1,522, thanking them for all they do to continue Julia’s Legacy.