Every year around this time, the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) club starts asking students to save their pennies. HOSA asks classes to collect any loose change or donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Societies (LLS) for their second annual Pasta for Pennies drive. These funds go to help the National Health Organization with their drives they do to raise both money and awareness for many different diseases.
The Pasta for Pennies drive goes on for five days, and in that time classes are able to compete against each other in a race to raise the most money. The class that raises the most money wins an Olive Garden pasta lunch. Last year, Steinbrenner raised over 3,000 dollars, way above the goal of 2,015 dollars.
“Each year, the goal reflects the year [$2,015 for the year 2015, $2,016 for the year 2016]. This year, we’d like to go over 3,000, the amount we raised last year,” said HOSA sponsor Jasmine Wantuch.
This is Wantuch’s second year hosting the Pasta for Pennies drive here at Steinbrenner. She took over from teacher Beverley Jarrett after the fundraiser had stopped for a few years.
With the help of the whole school, HOSA can beat their previous amount they raised and help spread awareness for two types of diseases that affect many people each year.
Jillian Dradynski // Staff Writer
