Middle schoolers reach donation goal in just four days

Hockinson — Hockinson Middle School students are participating for rthe first time in a Pennies for Patients Drive to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society — and they’re off to an impressive start. The students set a goal of raising $1,000 during the three-week drive. Four days after starting, they met their goal. By the end of the first week, the students raised more than $1,500, mostly in coins, and are now looking to raise $4,000. They are collecting change at school and from parents in front of the school. The school’s 430-plus students are participating in the fundraiser, which is being run by 27 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in Kendall Jones’ leadership associate student body class. The fundraiser is particularly personal for Jones, who underwent successful treatment after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma about two years ago. However, that’s not how she and her students found out about Pennies for Patients. Jones, the school’s leadership adviser, said she simply received an email from the leukemia society describing the program, but that the organization sent it without the knowledge that she is also a survivor. After two weeks of collecting money, the students have raised $2,832.80. They will continue to raise money at the school until Jan. 30, and people can donate at www.or.dojiggy.com.