Stewart Elementary School in Garden City, New York, has participated in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Student Series campaign for 7 years, raising $102,607.64.

The school has many connections to the LLS mission, with several students who have fought blood cancers throughout the years. In the 2014-15 school year, the students collected $25,000 in honor of Olivia Macchio, a local Burkitt’s lymphoma patient.

Principal Linda Norton and teacher Brenda McCarthy lead the program with support from the entire school staff, PTA and local community. Through Student Series, students learn about making an impact, leadership, teamwork, philanthropy and what doing good for others can mean.

Students collect funds individually and as classrooms, saving allowance and chore money to support the campaign. In addition, many petition their family and neighbors to support their fundraising efforts. The school celebrates with some fun events and prizes to motivate the kids, including Pizza Fridays in March.

The fundraising month concludes with two signature events, “Pie the Principal” and “Stuck for a Buck.” Principal Norton and other teachers sacrifice themselves for the cause. At the conclusion of the fundraising campaign the students from the class that raises the most funds have the opportunity to throw a whipped cream pie at their fearless leaders in an assembly with the entire school watching. Extra mops are needed!

In the annual “Stuck for a Buck” event, each student who brings in a dollar receives a strip of tape to stick one brave teacher to the wall. Mrs. McCarthy visits local Home Depot stores before the big day to get dozens of rolls of tape donated.

Stewart students look forward to this campaign every year and are grateful for the chance to raise funds to help other kids in need.