Mayor Michael Hancock, at the Penny Harvest assembly, told the McAuliffe student body “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Principal Kurt Dennis is at right.

McAuliffe students raised $5,750 and presented checks to their selected charities at the Penny Harvest all-school assembly on April 10.

In a “Penny Harvest” fundraiser, McAuliffe students, parents, teachers and staff collected over $5,750 this year. Penny Harvest student leaders met with classes to decide, by a vote, what type of charity they wanted to support. These were called “rays of caring,” and they included animal abuse, cancer, diseases, poverty, and suicide and depression awareness.

The Penny Harvest leaders researched and found charities in these areas and personally interviewed representatives from each organization. Based on their research and interviews they voted on how to allocate the money they raised and their student service time.

Penny Harvest Leader Lizzie Bannister said, “I learned about a lot of non-profits that I had no idea existed. They do really amazing things.” Sarah Merman added, “It helped me personally so I could tell other people about these places and they should volunteer there…I’m not just a bystander, I’m involved. This is my day of the year when I feel like I make a difference.”

All the representatives from charities expressed that they were touched by the students’ efforts. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention said the students’ interview process was, “thoughtful, impressive and humbling.”

After the presentation of checks, all the McAuliffe students went to non-profits in the community to help with a project and/or learn more about the services they provide. The students at right went to the Urban Farm on Smith Road in Stapleton.

Recipient charities hold up their checks presented by the Penny Harvest leaders. The charities provide a wide range of services in areas student chose including animal rescue, cancer, poverty, suicide and depression.