By COLlive reporter
Have you ever heard of a war where everyone wins?
Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy at 1148 Converse Street in Longmeadow, MA was recently involved in a battle between the grades to benefit all. This event is called Penny Wars. LYA students, toddlers through eighth grade, raised almost $1500.00 in pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters in seven days. Proceeds were donated to Chabad of Nepal to benefit the earthquake victims.
When LYA students heard about the devastating earthquake in Nepal, they mobilized together to raise money for the victims of this massive destruction. Each grade level had a container outside their classroom in which students and staff placed pennies.
Penny Wars has a strategic side to it. Every penny in a container was worth one point. Every coin that was not a penny caused points to be deducted. Each day enthusiastic students came into LYA with bags, wallets and knapsacks filled with coins. Students planned and strategized about the best containers in which to place their coins to try to keep their class in the lead.
Some classes were hit hard with big bills causing them to lose many penny points. The 7th and 8th grade girls’ class ended up raising the most money for earthquake victims, but at the same time ended up with the least amount of points. But that was really the way the class planned it.
“Together as a class, we thought about what be considered a real win. As the oldest class we realized that the way to really win big was by raising the most money”, commented 8th grader, Mushka Wolvovsky.
“It was really fun to go around and pretend to put money in other class’s jars so they would put a lot of larger denominations in ours’, remarked 7th grader Janet Anderson. “The funniest part was everyone thought it was so much fun to gang up on us so we would lose, but because they did that we actually raised a lot of money for the earthquake victims.”
Each afternoon the money was counted and delivered to Chany Baron, a parent volunteer who kept the score and tallied all the classes’ numbers. Each night points were posted on www.facebook.com/LubavitcherYeshivaAcademy. Every morning students would gather around the bulletin board to strategize on which class to hit with bigger bills.
The excitement of Penny Wars grew each day until the final day. It was amazing to see how many penny rolls came out of hiding. Classes had been stockpiling almost $800 worth of pennies that were brought out in the final hours.
“Penny Wars helped me realize that fundraising and giving charity can be fun”, commented 8th grader, Tova Granowitz.
“From the beginning, my class understood that we would probably lose, so instead of taking that as a negative, we embraced it, and were able to raise the most money for Nepal. Personally, that makes me feel so accomplished and glad that we were able to help and have fun doing it.”
The winning class ended up being LYA’s youngest students, the preschoolers, who ended Penny Wars with 9, 951 positive penny points, and celebrated their accomplishments during a pizza party.
The preschoolers had much to say about Penny Wars. Sara Schwartz commented that “I was excited and I really like pizza.” Bassie Baron and Sara Wolvovsky liked putting pennies in the jar. Chaim Cowen was excited because “we (the preschoolers) were the ones who won.”
“The winners really were ALL the students and staff at LYA and most importantly, victims of the earthquake in Nepal. Penny Wars was spent in intense competition for a wonderful cause”, commented, Stephanie Zolotor, co-educational director.
“The amount of positive energy that went on during Penny Wars cannot be measured. The students and staff synergized together to help people in need and that is what we call a win-win.”
15: Preschool Penny Wars winners Bassie Baron and Nat Cohen prepare to put money in another class’s container.
27: It took intense concentration to cunt all those pennies. Risha Wolvovsky, a third grader counts the days gathering.
37: Second Grade places larger denominations in the middle school container. Left to right: Nechama Gesin, Mendel Wolvovsky, Schneur Cohen, Mushka Gopin, Miriam Kimball, Abby Luzhanskiy and Moshe Lemkin.
53: That’s a lot of pennies. Ben and Rivkah Stein assist in pushing the wheel barrel with about $800 of pennies.
54: The winners with the check sent off to Nepal: Back Row, left to right: Shmarya Gesin, Chaim Cowen, Yosef Kravitsky, Sarah Schwartz, Rivkah Stein, Bassie Baron, Sruli Cohen, Nat Cohen. Front Row, left to right: Ben Stein, Sarah Wolvovsky and Meir Cohen.
23: Lots of pennies.
49: Middle School boys count their daily amount.
we love seeing pics of the Gesin’s !! yasher koach
gr8 job
LYA is the most awesome school around.
Penny wars is a total blast and I really enjoyed previous penny wars that I took part in
This teaches the kids that there are two aspects to tzedakah: not only is the total given counted, but also how many times you give. The Alter Rebbe explains that all of the coins given away become linked together forming a bullet-proof garment protecting the giver from harm.
Yasher Koach to my brothers and sisters-in-law at LYA!
what a beautiful project…and you all look so happy doing it !! Truly heartwarming. Surely every penny helps people who so desperately need it. Kol Hakavod, all of you, students and teachers !!
From your favorite uncle
I am so proud of our school. The excitement and energy and care for others was evident. You all did a great job.
So proud of all of the students and staff of LYA. They had lots of fun while taking part in this huge mitzvah.