Marlton Elementary Collects Change for Cancer Research

Marlton Elementary School was one of the top ten fundraisers during this year’s Pennies for Patients Program, which supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS.)

The school raised $3,607.59 for the cause.

“All of our participating schools should be commended for their heartfelt efforts that will help individuals with blood cancer,” said Dr. William R. Hite, superintendent of schools, in a press release.

The funds were raised over a three-week period. Marlton Elementary Principal Valerie Gifford and her staff wanted to come up with an extra incentive for the children to raise funds, and they came up with the Roving Penny.

Crafted by the husband of school nurse Sandy Gifford, the Roving Penny was awarded each day to the class that raised the most funds. The winner of the Roving Penny was announced each day.

“It was a wonderful incentive,” said Gifford, who is dedicated to teaching her students the value of community service and the importance of giving back and helping those who are less fortunate.

In addition to collecting spare change from their families and friends, Marlton students also sold “smelly pencils” and raised money from parents on their extracurricular sports teams.

Marlton also featured a guest speaker during the fundraising drive, so the students would have a sense of why they were raising money, how it would be used to help people living with cancer, said Gifford.

Almost 70 Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) participated in this year’s drive, joining schools across the DC Metro area in raising $815,000 and counting for LLS. Funds were collected in honor of a local student survivor and current cancer patients.

Eight PGCPS elementary schools reached the top ten schools in fundraising. The other schools are Langley Park-McCormick Elementary, Adelphi Elementary, Imagine Foundation Public Charter School, Scotchtown Hills Elementary, Bond Mill Elementary, High Bridge Elementary, and Riverdale Elementary.