First-grade students at McVay Elementary raised more than $4,100 to purchase clothes and toys for 56 children in the Westerville Caring and Sharing program. The annual fundraiser and service-learning project — now in its 12th year at McVay — featured Spare Change Week, where students donated change throughout the week (pennies and nickels on Monday, dimes on Tuesday, quarters on Wednesday and dollars on Thursday).
On Friday, Dec. 2, first-graders organized a General Store sale and sold pre-packaged baked goods, small toys and crafts to all the students in the school. The fundraiser culminated with a raffle, with students winning prizes donated by McVay families, staff and friends. On Wednesday, first-grade teacher Lisa Dapoz will take a group of students on a field trip to Target Easton to buy the presents for children they are sponsoring.