NJ Public and School Libraries collect over 483,000 pennies for charity!

On Thursday, May 19, at New Providence High School, Sharon Rawlins, NJ State Library Youth Services Consultant, presented Judy Gallagher, school librarian, Dr. David Miceli, superintendent of schools, Colleen Byrne, director of the New Providence Library, and the students with a plaque and Barnes & Noble gift card for raising the most money in the NJ State Library 2011 Pennies for Peace Campaign. 

            Throughout February and March 2011, the New Jersey State Library, the New Jersey Library Association and libraries throughout New Jersey honored the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, as part of the national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commemoration, by collecting pennies in support of the Central Asia Institute. During the three years of the campaign over 100 schools and public libraries raised over $32,000 to support the establishment of libraries at the schools built by the Institute.

The New Providence School District, which raised $3,100.50, has been the top fundraiser all three years of the campaign, raising over $10,039.23.  Accepting the public library award for the Cranford Public Library, which collected over $253, was John Malar, library director.

During the award ceremony, Gallagher recognized students for their fund raising efforts, including third grader Kyle Goetke, who donated $150 of his own money; fourth grader McKenna Gallagher, who for her birthday asked for Pennies for Peace donations instead of presents and raised $190; and Katie Zabel, who raised money all three years of the campaign.

“We have a lot of opportunities here in New Providence,” said high school student Fabian Lucciola. “”We wanted to share that with less fortunate children.” Tom Fusillo added: “This money will give so many children a brighter future. This charity is for education, which made it a high priority for us.”

“We are very proud of the support we received from our students, our community and the New Providence Public Library,” said Judy Gallagher. “We all worked together to make a difference in the lives of children on the other side of the world.”

Gallagher said she has asked Kyle and McKenna to each pick a new book they would like to see in their school libraries and that she will purchase those plus selections for the middle and high school students with the gift card.

See all the photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/njlibraryevents/sets/72157626639534523/