The holidays are known for receiving presents, but at WRMS we are raising money for different fundraisers. The SWAT team is aiding a home at KNI (Kansas Neurological Institute). The WAVE team is donating to a needy family in the Topeka area. The HEAT team is also participating. Both the SWAT and WAVE teams have done this for a while. The SWAT team has done the Penny War for 20 years. The WAVE team has done this for at least 10 years.
Ms. Evans, the SFA teacher on the SWAT team, is very supportive of the cause. “The Penny War is a fundraiser for a home at KNI. There are 8 men residing in the home who have a neurological disorder, or a traumatic brain injury. Each of the men has a wishlist for Christmas, and the home has a community wish list of items that benefit all of the residents.”
Zain Chaudhry, a student on the WAVE team, feels amazing for raising money for others not as fortunate. “It feels great. I’m helping out people who just lost their homes and helping people have a good Christmas.” Chaudhry has raised about $80 in change for his advisory.
Mrs. Rainey, a math teacher on the WAVE team, got started raising money quickly. The penny war started the week after Thanksgiving break and will go on until Dec. 18th. This leaves time for students to go shopping, before delivering gifts to the family on Dec. 20th. “We like to have the students who’ve been really active in participating go shopping for the items, help wrap the gifts and deliver to the family.”
A prize is awarded through a point system. If someone puts coins in their advisory’s jar or bin, you get positive points. Someone can put paper bills in another advisory’s jar or bin, and it counts as negative points. The idea is to put coins in your advisory’s jar and paper bills in other advisory’s jars. The advisory with the most points wins. On the SWAT team, the prize is a golden fly-swatter trophy, and of course, bragging rights.
