Buckeye Valley Middle School’s students have the same goal every year when it comes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients Campaign — beat last year’s goal.

During the two-and-a-half week campaign students collected $5,011, beating last year’s goal of $4,650 by $361.

“Really when you think about it Buckeye Valley is not a large school,” said Tina Francis, career-based instruction coordinator. “A little over 700 kids, that’s pretty good.”

Erin Matteo of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society accepted the $5,011 check for the society.

She said it never seizes to amaze her how dedicated and engaged the students and the community are in raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. “It’s really a team effort,” she said.

“When we have a school like this that consistently raises big money, we always try to set the bar a little higher for them every year,” said Erin Matteo, Leukemia Lymphoma Society. “It blows me away every year when a school meets their goal or surpasses it.”

Matteo said the donations stay in Central Ohio to help cover patient services being treated for Leukemia and Lymphoma. She also said some of the money goes to research of Leukemia and Lymphoma at Ohio State University.

Students pledged to bring in donations of $20 and up.

Andrew Webb said he donated a total of $50 that he collected from friends and family at home.

Eric Pettit’s math class collected $1000 of the $5011 donation. What was his secret to getting his students to participate?

“I had a cousin pass away from Leukemia,” he said. “I tried to get them to buy into it.” Pettit said most of the money his class collected was donated online. Francis said the class will be having a pizza party for collecting the most in donations.

After the check was presented to Matteo students got to play a little dodgeball against the their teachers Friday afternoon in the gym to celebrate their hard work.

“My students planned the whole event and it was a lot of work,” Francis said. “It is a way to have a little fun and see the good we’ve done.”

Kelvin Williams, DJ for Heart Beat Music, Canal Winchester, pumped up the music as teachers and students battled it out in a few friendly games.

Francis said local vendor Kona Ice also donated $352 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Friday afternoon Buckeye Valley Middle School students presented a check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for $5011. Students have been engaged in the Pennies to Patients Campaign for the past several weeks collecting donations for the cause.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/03/web1_DSC_1295F.jpgFriday afternoon Buckeye Valley Middle School students presented a check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for $5011. Students have been engaged in the Pennies to Patients Campaign for the past several weeks collecting donations for the cause. D. Anthony Botkin | The Gazette

After students presented the $5,011 check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society they got a chance to play dodgeball against the teachers. In the photo the teachers were the ones playing close to the front line while the students stayed in the back of their territory.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/03/web1_DSC_1317F.jpgAfter students presented the $5,011 check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society they got a chance to play dodgeball against the teachers. In the photo the teachers were the ones playing close to the front line while the students stayed in the back of their territory. D. Anthony Botkin | The Gazette

Each grade level had the chance to play a round of dodgeball against the Buckeye Valley Middle School teachers on Friday. Both teams run to the centerline of the gym for the balls and hopefully not get knocked out by the opposing team.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/03/web1_DSC_1323F.jpgEach grade level had the chance to play a round of dodgeball against the Buckeye Valley Middle School teachers on Friday. Both teams run to the centerline of the gym for the balls and hopefully not get knocked out by the opposing team. D. Anthony Botkin | The Gazette