Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy students collecting pennies
When students at the Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy began collecting pennies for a school project, collecting 100,000 pennies seemed like an impossible goal.
Eight months later, the students have surpassed their target, and are still collecting coins for their project, called “Pennies for Possibilities.”
“We really didn’t think it would be easy,” explains L.I.F.E. Academy principal Lynn Pottorf. “But now, we’re going for 150,000 pennies. And at the rate we’re going, we very well may get there.”
The L.I.F.E. Academy is a tuition-free Lee County charter school for students with developmental disabilities. L.I.F.E. Academy’s individualized programs are designed to successfully transition young adults with special needs into post-school adult living.
The school is currently enrolling students for fall, 2009.
Pottorf explains that the Pennies for Possibilities project began as a way for students to improve their math and counting skills.
“It really just started out as some math activities for the kids,” she said. “And then it just took on a life of its own.”
“We have counted them, weighed them, measured them, and lined them up,” Pottorf added. “The students have even figured out their height and weight in pennies. Plus, each class is competing to see who can collect the most pennies, so it’s become a real team-building thing, as well.”
To reach 100,000 pennies, students and teachers have collected change from friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.
Three Goodwill stores have also solicited donations by placing piggy banks for pennies at their cash registers.
As a reward for reaching their initial goal of 100,000 pennies, L.I.F.E. Academy students got to choose how their $1,000 dollars would be spent. The students selected a pair of field trips, which they will take in the coming weeks.
Pottorf is also planning for an armored truck to pick up the school’s pennies at the end of the school year, along with a field trip to an area bank, where the students will learn more about U.S. currency and our banking system.
If you would like to donate pennies to the L.I.F.E. Academy “Pennies for Possibilities” project, you can bring coins to the school at 3365-D Seminole Avenue in Fort Myers.
You may also donate pennies at three Goodwill locations: North Cape Coral, 1500 Pine Island Road; Fort Myers-Daniels, 13500 Plantation Road; and Fort Myers-Island Park, 16523 Island Park Road.
For more information about the Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy, contact L.I.F.E. Academy principal Lynn Pottorf at 334-4434.