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.