WORTHINGTON — Students at Prairie Elementary and the Intermediate School are uniting to take on cancer this month, as the annual Coins for Cancer event has migrated along with students to District 518’s newest facility.
“This event is important because it gets kids to help others,” said Ashley Doeden, who teaches fourth grade at the Intermediate School. “Even by bringing in just a few cents during the week, they're able to help a kid — who quite possibly could be their age — with their cancer treatment.”
Staff and students will raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this week and next week, while they learn about different types of cancer and how they can help others.
The two-week event began Monday with colors and education, as each day of the week was assigned both a color and a type of cancer to learn about. On Monday, for example, kids were encouraged to wear gold, representing childhood cancer. Tuesday, orange, was set for kidney cancer awareness, and lime green for lymphoma on Wednesday. On Thursday, students will go yellow for sarcoma, and Friday they’ll wear purple for all cancer survivors.
Next week the fundraising will begin in earnest, as kids will be asked to bring in donations — and continue the dress-up fun. Monday begins with pennies and wearing pajamas, Tuesday is for nickels and nature-themed outfits, and students will get to think about their futures a bit for “Dream Job Dime Day” on Wednesday. Thursday is “Comfy Quarters Day” and Friday will be a day for athletics clothing of all kinds, as kids “Team up for Cancer” and bring any denominations of coins or bills they wish.
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The event is an exercise in empathy, as well as education, as the students learn someone just like them could be staying at a hospital for treatment rather than going to school, Doeden said.
It also dovetails nicely with District 518’s Character Strong program, which helps kids focus on one positive character trait per month, such as respect, creativity, honesty or empathy.
“I know that the kids are super excited to donate,” said Kirsten Sinnamon, who also teaches fourth grade. Students actually get excited about the annual event — and about helping others, she said.
During the learning week, students learn about why they’re raising money, hearing shared stories from Minnesota Miracle Network about kids who are dealing with cancer. Because many of them are familiar with Sioux Falls, knowing where the money goes helps make the event more meaningful for District 518 students, Doeden said.
The funds raised will help families with children battling cancer, helping them pay for expenses.
Businesses and individuals outside the school who want to join the effort can do so by either dropping off or mailing a check to the Intermediate School, which will then be added to the total amount students raised.
Checks may be made out to the Children’s Miracle Network, and sent to the Intermediate School at 671 N. Crailsheim Road, Worthington, 56187.
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