SOMERS – Students and staff in the Somers Lakeside School District are pitching in to help fund a local cause.
School counselor Erin Jornen told MTN News that she encourages the student council every year to select a community cause to donate to.
She specifically requires students to do this so they are actively engaged in their community. This year, students chose the Flathead Sheriff’s K-9 unit.
Raising funds through a penny war with middle school students and staff placing donations into their designated jar. The jar with the most money at the end of two weeks wins.
Each bill or coin has different points. For example, a nickel has five points. However, placing pennies in someone else’s jar and they get points taken away.
Jornen says that fundraisers like this help engage students with their local community.
“Part of why I encourage student council to pick a community organization to support every year just because I want them to be invested in what’s going on around them and care about what’s going on around them,” Jornen explained.
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office hopes to have the K-9’s trained and ready in June. Donations will go toward supplies for the dogs like food, water and custom car parts to keep the dogs safe.
Reporting by Maren Siu for MTN News
