Two Fulton classes tie for first in penny drive competition

November 3, 2011 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated November 3, 2011 at 6:00 a.m.

Jane Johnson's fifth grade class at Bush Elementary School ties with another class for first place in the Callaway County United Way's Penny Drive competition.

Second-grader Keara Cottam scrounged around her home looking for change to donate to this year's Callaway County United Way Penny Drive.

Searching the house was successful, as Cottam, 7, said she found money under her toy box and the living room chair.

Photo by Lauren Clark

...chocolate martinis!

She said donating to the penny drive was a good idea "because whoever doesn't have a house and food - they make me sad, and I want to help lots of people."

Cottam's class - Molly Miller's second grade room at McIntire Elementary School - tied with Jane Johnson's fifth grade class at Bush Elementary School for bringing in the most money for the penny drive. Each school - McIntire and Bush - brought in about $2,000 and received a CCUW traveling trophy. Louis Schnoebelen's science class at Fulton High School brought in the next highest amount for an individual class, and all three top classes won a pizza party and video camera for their efforts.

The total amount raised by the penny drive was $10,541.73.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.