Social Studies Students Raise Record Amount For the Smile Train

Wisner-Pilger Social Studies students collected pennies and loose change as part of a global project.  They filled two gallon jars with change and some paper money that totaled over $623 for The Smile Train.  This is a record amount for the annual project.

The project began before Christmas break and one jar sat on the teacher's desk half full for a few months.  Two weeks ago, one of the eighth grade classes challenged all the other classes to see which could raise the most in a one week period.  The entire eighth grade took the challenge to heart and the money began to pour in.  "I was really touched by their generosity," says their teachers, Kate Trindle.  "The kids were awesome!"

Since the majority of the money was raised by the eighth graders, it was their class that got to walk the money down to the bank.  They waited in the lobby of Citizens National Bank to hear the final count.  Nadine Hagedorn, Executive Vice President of Citizens National Bank donated an additional $50 to the cause.

The Smile Train is an international aid organization that provides surgery for children in developing countries who are born with a cleft lip and/or palate.  They train local surgeons to perform the surgeries and the cost is only $250.  The social studies students surpassed their original goal that was to raise enough to provide one child with the surgery.

The objective of the class project is to teach compassion and help students become responsible global citizens.

Sub Navigation

Top