×

Toronto’s Karaffa Elementary School raises money for United Way of Jefferson County

Karaffa school raises United Way money

Karaffa Elementary School in Toronto recently participated in a United Way fundraiser raising $794. Some of those participating included, from left, pupils Chelsie Daugherty and Leah Gibson; Kate Sedgmer, executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County; and pupils Jackson Gibson and Josef Dickinson. — Mark J. Miller

TORONTO — Pupils from Karaffa Elementary School helped raise funds for the United Way of Jefferson County through a series of fundraisers.

Teachers Elizabeth Donnelly and Heather Keenan led the campaign and explained to pupils that funds raised stay in the community to help others in need.

“We hosted a Halloween drawing for two weeks in October where pupils could donate 25 cents for the United Way,” said Donnelly, adding each chance for the drawing was a quarter. “We had more than 100 prizes donated by teachers, staff and some administrators. Kids were bringing in $50. It was wonderful. Most of them were bringing in $1 or more. They were very generous.”

“All the dollars stay here in Toronto,” said Keenan. “Even if they didn’t win a prize, they knew the money was staying in Toronto.”

Some of the items in the drawing included cash prizes, gift cards, Halloween items, basketballs and more.

“We had plenty of kids who won more than one item,” continued Keenan. “It was definitely double from what was raised last year.”

Teachers said parents and staff raised funds so that every child would have at least one chance to win a prize.

“They were really good sports about it,” said Donnelly. “We explained to them that it’s the community that’s the big winner because the funds go back out into the community.”

Chris Dopp, school principal, said he was proud of the pupils, staff and teachers for undertaking the project.

“I’m just so proud of them doing the greater good for the community,” said Dopp. “They are leading by example.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today