In an effort to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), the Junior Beta Club at Atkinson Elementary School collected $1,000 through the community service project Pennies for Patients.

On every school day between March 15 and March 24, the Junior Beta Club created events and asked students and teachers to contribute $1 each for participating.

In one of those events, while finding out that it is cool to help others, students and educators were allowed to wear sunglasses if they tossed a dollar bill in a money jar. Likewise, Nerd Day featured the message that it is smart to help others.

Whichever class brought in the most money on any given day was awarded with a Popsicle party. The class generating the second highest amount received cupcakes.

“You could tell the kids were really into it,” said LaTesa Parker, the supervising teacher for the eight club members this year — all fifth-graders who were chosen based on their academics and leadership skills.

“A lot of students have family members battling cancer, so they can relate,” Parker said.

Meeting the original fund-raising goal of $1,000 marked the Junior Beta Club’s best outcome yet.

“It wasn’t expected that our group could raise that much money. I thought it was a huge accomplishment the way the school came together,” said Parker.

“I was very proud that we had accomplished our goal, so we can help other people,” said Tatyana Fuller, one of the students with the Junior Beta Club.

The next, and very likely bigger challenge is already in progress, as the club is raising money to be able to attend Disney’s Youth Educational Series in May in Orlando, Fla.

Those in the community who would like to support the Junior Beta Club students in their goal to make it to the Sunshine State should contact Atkinson Elementary School.