PENNIES+FOR+PEACE+PROJECT

====== ===As part of their annual celebration for the 100th Day of School, Warner Elementary K-5 students this year decided to make a difference in the lives of school children half a world away. For the price of 100 pennies, Warner students could wear a hat of their choice to school on the 100th day of the 2007-08 school year. One hundred forty-six elementary students raised $214 for the //Pennies for Peace// program!! Way to go Warner Elementary!! http://www.penniesforpeace.org/home.html===


 * ===One, to improve lives and to foster understanding through the gift of education.===
 * ===Two, to create an awareness in the children of America that they can have a positive impact on the world around them, and that they can do it "one penny at a time."===

Just what is the power of a penny? In an e-mail received from Christiane Lettinger, Director of Pennies for Peace, these facts were laid out:
Remember, when pennies add up they can make a real difference. **In just __ONE__ day, Warner students raised enough for one of the following:** $20...One student's school supplies for one year..................................................................**year's worth of school supplies for __10.7__ students** $50...One treadle sewing machine and supplies....................................................................**__4.28__ treadle sewing machines and supplies** $100...Maternal health care supplies for 1 year......................................................................**Year's worth of maternal health care for __2.14__ mothers** $300...One advanced student's annual scholarship.................................................................**__75%__ of one advanced student's annual scholarship** $600 ...One teacher's annual salary......................................................................................**__33%__ of one teacher's annual salary** $5,000...Support for existing school for 1 year........................................................................**__4%__ of yearly support for an existing school** $50,000...One school building and support for up to 5 years



I first heard about Greg Mortenson's inspirational book in //The Lutheran// magazine. It was Christmas time before I ran across a copy of it at a local bookstore. Over Christmas vacation, I sat down to read the amazing story of Greg Mortenson's journey from mountain climber to promoter of world peace, "one school at a time". Returning to school from break after just having read Greg's awesome book, //Three Cups of Tea//, I was so excited to share his amazing story with my students. When an article appeared in our //Scholastic Magazine// about schools in Tanzania, where Greg grew up as the son of missionary parents, it just seemed to all fit together, as if it had been meant to be. :) The children were enthralled with his story and with the idea that a single dollar could make such a difference in the lives of children, much like themselves, a half a world away. They wanted to be a part of that difference! And the fact that Greg was a neighbor, originally from Minnesota, educated at our own USD, and now living in Montana, inspired them even more! My sincere thanks to everyone at //Pennies for// //Peace// for the opportunity to make learning relevant, teaching our students that no matter what age they are, they, too, can touch lives in meaningful ways. That, truly, is a lesson that cannot be found within the pages of a textbook!



//**Three Cups of Tea** "One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time// By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin" http://www.threecupsoftea.com/

If you, too, are inspired by Greg Mortenson's mission to make the world a more peaceful place, I challenge you to also sponsor a //Pennies for Peace// fundraising event!! AND, I hope that you will leave a message on the discussion page sharing all the details with us!!