Naperville students save pennies for the needy

Students of all ages at Ss. Peter and Paul School in Naperville are beginning to spread Christmas cheer as they work hard to help families in need this season.

All students are being asked to bring in loose change to compete in their annual Coin War. Each homeroom tallies their coins for a chance to win a pizza party or an “out of uniform” day at school.

As an added twist to the competition, junior high classes involve strategy in their game. Each junior high class has a penny jar and a silver jar. Donating pennies to their own jar adds money, while donating silver to their competitors' jars takes away money from their total. In the end, the class with the highest total wins, as do the families who benefit from their winnings.

Additionally, student council members are selling Candy Grams for Christmas. Students can purchase a Candy Gram for 50 cents and write a Merry Christmas note to a friend, teacher, or family member. The Candy Grams will be attached to candy canes and delivered throughout the school.

Even the younger students are getting in on the fun with a Christmas coloring contest. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade can enter the contest and decorate the halls with their entries. The winner receives a prize.

The activities not only provide a fun, festive atmosphere for the kids to enjoy, but they also provide a living example of the true Christmas spirit, organizers said.

Students decide along with the principal how the earnings can best be directed to local families in need this holiday season. It reminds them to count their blessings and to help those less fortunate.

Earnings from this season's Christmas efforts are expected to exceed $4,000.

To learn more about Ss. Peter and Paul, call (630) 355-0113 or visit sspeterandpaulschool.com.