DaVinci Academy joins Mooseheart in 'Pennies for Pins'

Mooseheart's growing relationship with Elgin's DaVinci Academy moves another step forward Thursday, March 26, when DaVinci staff and students bring a check to Mooseheart staff and students in the Mooseheart gymnasium representing the proceeds from the Feb. 5 "Pennies for Pins" bowling event.

Since the event at St. Charles Bowl, DaVinci students have collected their pledges, which were made on a "per pin" basis.

Since first contacted by DaVinci earlier this year, Gary Urwiler, Mooseheart's executive director, said the Mooseheart-DaVinci relationship has grown. Urwiler spoke to DaVinci staff, students and parents prior to the Feb. 5 event and Mooseheart students participated in "Pennies for Pins" by bowling alongside DaVinci students and cheering their efforts.

"The word I'd use to describe this is 'magical'," Urwiler said. "It was a bright spot to attend the bowling event and to see the excitement of the two schools coming together. On that day, there was excitement for the bowling and plenty of laughter, and I know it definitely helped the DaVinci Academy students to see our students firsthand."

The money raised through "Pennies for Pins" will be used to supplement Mooseheart's clothing allowance.

"This has been a way to get DaVinci's students thinking about giving back to others," Urwiler said. "When I met their students, faculty and parents, they were enthusiastic about the schools coming together and for the students to interact."

Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations, the great majority of which come from the one million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda. Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.

Mooseheart is currently home to approximately 200 students, from preschool to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Visit www.mooseheart.org or follow Mooseheart Child City and School on Facebook.

Da Vinci Academy at 37W080 Hopps Road, Elgin is an independent school for gifted and academically talented preschool through eighth grade students serving the Fox Valley region. Open since 2000, Da Vinci Academy's mission statement is: "Develop well-rounded and socially responsible students to succeed in a globally-connected world by fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication." Follow DaVinci Academy on Facebook.