Natomas Cares: Heron Students Support 3 Charities

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THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Heron School recently raised more than $1,300 to support three local charities.

“I am so proud of our Student Council and 7th/8th grade leadership students for planning, promoting and running an enormously successful, logistically-challenging Penny War,” said teacher Brandon Breckenridge. “They did everything from selecting the local charities to counting the coins and delivering the checks.”

The school wide “Penny War” was organized by the Heron student leadership team and teachers, according to Principal Marcia Bernard.

All 40 classrooms at the K-8 campus collected pennies and chose which of the three charities to support. Leadership students went to the bank and counted all the money, Bernard said.

Safe Credit Union delivered a cake and a life-size check to recognize students’ achievements. The leadership students, teacher and principal then hand-delivered a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Natomas. Students heard how their donations would be used and visited the organization’s “Wish Room” – one of only four in the world.

“The Penny War was worth everything we did,” said Brenda Hernandez, 8th grader. “When we went to the Make A Wish Foundation to present the check, we found out what our donation would do for kids. It felt awesome!”

Students also made donations to the Sacramento SPCA and Loaves and Fishes.

“The Penny War was worth all the time and hard work,” said Jasmine Bal, Heron student council president. “All the money went to charities.”