St. Mary's Sycamore students collect ‘Pennies for Power'
Pay-It-Forward House benefits from service project SYCAMORE - Students at St. Mary's Catholic School participate in monthly service projects, and on Nov. 1, they presented Pay-It-Foward House Board President Joyce Mathey with $429.34 they collected by hosting a “Pennies for Power” fundraiser. Throughout October, the school's preschool through junior high students donated their spare change in an effort to help offset utility costs for the nonprofit organization at 719 Somonauk St. “Service projects like this one allow our students an opportunity to apply lessons they learned in the classroom. We remind the children it doesn't matter how much you contribute - every penny makes a difference. Compassion and empathy for others is a very important component of our faith, and we are happy to support the important work taking place at the Pay-It-Forward House,” said St. Mary's School Principal Abbie Miller. For almost two years, Pay-It-Forward House has been providing temporary overnight housing and drop-in respite for family members of patients at Kindred Hospital. The house has provided more than 1,900 nights of lodging since it opened in March 2005, and on a regular basis, the home is fully occupied with a waiting list. Subsequently, the utility bills are high and Pay-It-Forward House is asking organizations and private donors to consider offering financial assistance. According to Mathey, there is no such thing as a small donation. Every act of giving is important, especially to families in crisis. “The students at St. Mary's are being good Samaritans by assisting strangers in need, and I applaud the young people for their generosity. Every day, we feel blessed by our community,” she added. For more information about hosting a “Pennies for Power” fundraiser or volunteer opportunities at the Pay-It-Forward House, call Mathey at (815) 895-3803 or visit www.payitforwardhouse.org.