The Story Behind the Photo

260,000 QUARTERS AND COUNTING
The 5th annual Quarters for the Cure Campaign kicked off January 14 and will run through April 11, 2008. (Click here for more information.)

Since 2004, New Jersey students have raised nearly $65,000 for CINJ programs—one quarter at a time. Their creative array of fundraisers have included selling paper flowers, bake sales, bowl-a-thons, dress down days, flag football tournaments, teachers matching student coins and friendly competitions between classes and grades. In 2007, 27 elementary, middle and high schools, from 12 counties, joined in the effort. The top fundraiser was Elms Elementary School in Jackson Township (whose teachers are pictured) that raised over $3,000, a bittersweet tribute to the recent passing of a first grade student. All schools were winners as expressed by teachers across New Jersey:

Adamsville School, Bridgewater, NJ: “My 4th grade class was in charge of the project, creating posters, making announcements and visiting classrooms to collect the money each week. They had a great time throughout the entire program and never lost their enthusiasm!”

Ann Street School, Newark: “Our students were very excited about this fundraiser and it was a great way to show them how a little change in their pockets could be used for a good cause.”

Clinton Elementary School, Plainfield: “…the lesson of giving back is one I hope will last a lifetime for students…we look forward to participating in your program next year!”

Texas Avenue School, Atlantic City: “The staff and students at Texas Avenue School worked hard to collect as much money as we could…the kindergarten class raised the most money…the entire school had a great time while raising money for such a worthy cause.”

Upper Township Primary School, Marmora, NJ: “ In my classroom, my children were given a challenge. Any money they brought in on a set date, I matched. I am happy to say that day we had $160.00. It also acted as a math lesson. My second graders counted money each day during math. This improved their money skills. Another teacher challenged her class to read. For every book they read, she put in a quarter.”

Featured in the Photo: from left to right, Raquel Seda, Melissa Daley, Tracey Auletta, Alyssa Agoston, Natalie DiPietrantonio, First-Grade teachers at Elms Elementary School.