Local elementary school donates money for soldiers

Manatee Elementary School, 7001 Charleston Shores Blvd., had a coin drive and raised more than $5,000 to benefit Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, a Boynton Beach-based nonprofit that sends monthly care packages to soldiers overseas.

Karen Folino, PTA vice president of fundraising spearheaded a project, “A Little Change Goes A Long Way,” during the week of Oct. 20 to 24. Each class received a gallon jug to decorate for the coin collection.

During the week, students donated pennies on Monday, nickels on Tuesday, dimes on Wednesday, quarters on Thursday and dollars on Friday. There was a competition between grade levels.

The money raised is enough to send more than 250 soldiers care packages.

Lynelle Chauncey Zelnar, executive director and founder of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, said it was an honor to be a recipient of such a creative fundraiser.

She said the students understand and realize how important it is to send the care packages to troops.

In addition, the care packages sponsored by Manatee Elementary School will have a T-shirt will that will have a digitally transferred image of a student’s artwork about the appreciation they feel toward the soldiers.

For information about Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, call 561-369-2933.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

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About This Blog

Mike Rothman
Mike Rothman graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Management. He grew up in South Florida and has been back working here since July 2006. Mike wrote for numerous publications previously including the Gainesville Sun, GatorBait Magazine and Inspin.com, where he was the NBA Expert.

When Mike is not hitting the streets of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach looking for stories, he can be found playing sports or spending time with friends.

He also enjoys provoking his fellow Hometown Downtown columnist, Dave DiPino, for the sake of good stories, of course. He can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com or at 954-871-1233.