St. Peters Catholic School raised the most money this year during the Callaway County United Way's annual penny drive this year.
Misty Dothage, Executive Director, Callaway County United Way said the school has been the winning school for the past few years and is the smallest school that participates each year.
The annual penny drive includes kindergarten through eighth grade students at schools across the district. Students gather pennies and other change for the United Way and its 11 partner agencies. This year, the program raised approximately $4,700 total.
Students exceeded last year's raised amount by almost double, Dothage said. Students at St. Peters Catholic School raised $2,056.31 and surpassed the second place school by over $500. First graders raised the most money from St. Peters Catholic School, she said.
"They're such a giving school," Dothage said, adding that the school raised the funds all in one week.
The second place school was McIntire Elementary with about $1,500.
Dothage said it's a stable fundraiser each year to try and get the future of Callaway County involved in giving and learning how they can make an impact. Kids become aware of what's going on around them in the county.
Each year the winning school gets a trophy. The trophy is a visual reminder that the kids made a difference.
The penny drive will be starting again when the school year starts, Dothage said. The funding will go toward 2023 grant awards.
"We're hoping to bring in more schools this year," she said.
The winning class received a pizza party.
United Way's partner organizations include: Callaway County 4-H, the Callaway County Senior Center, Heart of MO CASA, Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association, Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Compass Health, Inc., Homemaker Health Care, Callaway County Extended Employment, Mid-Missouri Legal Services, Our House and SERVE.
St Peters Catholic School Principal Erin Polson signs a check for the $2,056.31 students at the school raised for Callay County United Way through the annual penny drive. United Way Executive Director Misty Dothage accepts the check. CONTRIBUTED
St Peters Catholic School Principal Erin Polson signs a check for the $2,056.31 students at the school raised for Callay County United Way through the annual penny drive. CONTRIBUTED