Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 20/98) - The clinking and chinking sounds of Canadian currency could be heard down the hallways of Weledeh Catholic school last week as a collection of pennies grew to the amount of $104.42 during a charitable penny drive.

The drive was only part of fund-raising activities organized by the school as its contribution to the upcoming Stanton Regional Hospital Telethon to be held on Nov. 29.

The school began fund-raising two weeks ago with a craft and bake sale put on by Jenny Voytilla's Grade 4 class. It raised $58 and Voytilla says their are more activities to follow.

Weledeh's 350 students are being offered a variety of ways to contribute to the telethon, which will provide the hospital with funds for a CT scanner and increase its overall funding.

Other activities such as classroom cleaners, and the Big Buddies program allows students to volunteer services such as tutoring other students and cleaning chalk boards in return for a small donation which will go towards the telethon.

Proceeds from an upcoming sock hop and student-teacher sports challenge will also add to the telethon fund.

Voytilla said she was pleasantly shocked at the participation level of the students in the penny drive, as well as the success of the craft and bake sale. She said the experience is giving the students a sense of value as contributing members of the community by participating in the fund-raising.

"It raises the consciousness here and has the children realize they are an important part of the community," she said.

Voytilla said one student had difficulty understanding that the fund-raising was a charitable act, not a profitable exchange.

"He asked, 'So, we're raising this money for what?'," said Voytilla. "I tried to explain it and he asked what we were getting out of it. When I said, nothing, he asked why. Then he heard there was a chance (the students) would go on TV, so he figured it was a good thing, which is kind of missing the point."

Voytilla said the majority of the students in her class understand the concept and it gives them a good feeling to have raised the money for the hospital.

"They know it's for helping people and they know the CT scan is for the brain," said Voytilla.

"They realize that many of them were born (at Stanton Regional Hospital) so they have used the hospital in their life already and they know they might use it if they get sick."