In the book of Samuel, when David volunteered to fight Goliath, even King Saul doubted him, saying that he was just a boy. How could a child take on a giant? But David was victorious.
Illness is a colossal problem, especially in rural Uganda where the AIDS epidemic still flourishes. The health of each child is a giant issue, but the children of St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School in Tampa, Florida, are determined to make a difference. How do they do it? With pennies! Pennies for Papoli.
The penny drive helps support the Cooley Pediatric Clinic that was lovingly built by Village Partners International several years ago. A hundred pennies can provide life or death nourishment. Five hundred pennies provide a comforting toy. Pennies add up to purchase antibiotics and more. Little pennies from children can help other children, so they can heal and grow and go out in the world to also make a difference.
The difference is not just made for the patients of the pediatric clinic. The children raising the pennies are also transformed. Their eyes are opened. Their capacity for caring is nurtured. Their character is molded.
For two weeks each spring the seventh graders at St. Mary’s rally their 400+ school mates. They make a school-wide presentation, distribute penny gathering directions, cheer and remind. They entice involvement by providing a fun Papoli Play event for the grade that raises the most money. In one activity during the reward, students get to play with balls, handmade by children in Papoli, given to the school as a thank you. After two weeks of each student collecting pennies, the seventh graders gather the penny banks and haul them to be counted. The penny banks always include some quarters and dollars. Like Jesus feeding the thousands with a few fish and loaves of bread, a miracle occurs. What began as gathering pennies has annually resulted in the accumulation of dollars in the thousands. Pennies do make a difference. The children are victorious!
By Linda Boza
This year, Morning Star School of Tampa has also committed to hold a Pennies for Papoli drive. If your organization would like to organize a drive, you may contact linda.boza@smeds.org for instructions.
