Engleman Elementary's 'Coins for Cancer' Drive Raises $2,821 for Grace Cancer Foundation
GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) — Making a difference one coin at a time is what drove student generosity at Engleman Elementary.
Led by the student-run Character Council, the schoolwide “Coins for Cancer” fundraiser concluded with a total collection of $2,821, all of which was donated to the Grace Cancer Foundation to support local families.
The five day initiative found students bringing in jars of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to school each day to contribute. What began as a simple collection drive quickly transformed into a powerful lesson in empathy and leadership.
The Engelman Student Character Council is a group of student leaders dedicated to promoting positive school culture. 4th - 5th Grade students are nominated by Engleman staff to participate in the yearlong organization to help plan and promote projects to their peers that support the message of, “Be respectful. Be responsible. Be safe.” For the “Coins for Cancer” project, students on the character council led in communication efforts to their classmates and helped tabulate donation totals.
“As a staff we are incredibly proud of the Engleman community for the compassion and generosity shown during our Coins for Cancer fundraiser.” Tracy Nelson, Engleman 4th Grade Teacher & Character Council Sponsor, said. “Cancer has touched the lives of many families and watching our students rally together to support those in Grand Island has been truly inspiring.”
And it all came together for a special ceremony.
On Friday, the whole school gathered in a morning assembly where the Character Council students presented a “big check” for $2,821 to the Grace Cancer Foundation (GCF) Executive Director, Sarah Koch. The funds will go directly toward supporting the work of GCF as they provide assistance for those navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
The Grace Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families through financial assistance, emotional support, and community resources. Seeing students come together to make a difference in the lives of countless local families battling cancer made the donation feel especially meaningful to the GCF Team.
“I am just so incredibly proud of all of these Engelman students for the heart and hard work you put into this year’s Coins for Cancer drive.” Sarah Kock, Grace Cancer Foundation Executive Director, shared. “Raising $2,821 is truly amazing, and every single coin collected shows their kindness, compassion, and willingness to help others. Because of them, we’re able to continue supporting individuals and families facing cancer right here in our community. Engleman students should be so proud of what they’ve accomplished; they are making a real and meaningful difference.”
For Engleman Elementary, the “Coins for Cancer” drive was more than a fundraiser — it was an opportunity for the students to make a positive impact in their community by being a part of something bigger than themselves. By turning pocket change into a significant charitable contribution, these young leaders have set a standard for community service that will not only do good, but make a lasting impact.
Because even a little change can make a big difference.