Giving a little is never too much for Gardens and Turner elementary school students.

For the last three weeks, the students have been turning out their pockets and emptying their piggy banks for the school’s annual Pasta for Pennies fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is the third year both schools have participated in the fundraiser, and the students collaboratively raised more than $8,800.

Every year, Gardens’ student council made up of 10 fourth graders heads up the school’s project, and student council sponsor Andrea Luna said it is a project the students have come to look forward to.

“Even though I have a new group of student council members every year, they now expect us to participate in this fundraiser because they have helped contribute to it in their previous classrooms the past few years,” she said. “It makes them feel like they are doing something that is very important, and they realize that even a little bit of money eventually adds up to help those who truly need it.”

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Pasta for Pennies is one of the many fundraisers the society has through its School and Youth programs.

Turner Elementary third grade reading and science teacher Dana Babineaux said it is a wonderful feeling to know that students give their savings and allowances to help with this project every year.

“It shows their compassion for others who are in need,” she said. “It’s important for students to be involved in fundraisers like this because it teaches them about teamwork and lets them know when they work together they can make a difference. It also teaches them about the gift of giving.”

At Gardens, the student council members are responsible for advertising for the fundraiser and for collecting money every week. Gardens student council treasurer Valerie Galvan said she enjoys preparing for and organizing the fundraiser because it helps others.

“I feel excited raising money because we are helping people who have Leukemia,” she said. “It’s important for us to help others so those with Leukemia will be able to get more medicine to help them get better.”

The classes compete for the cause by raising the most money. The winning class from each school receives a pasta party from Olive Garden.

“Being involved in a project like this allows our students to see that not everyone has the same kind of life,” said Babineaux. “It helps teach students to be appreciative of what positive things they do have, such as their health.”

Luna said the project has served as a continuous learning experience for her students because it allows them to do something good that doesn’t involve their own personal needs and wants.

“It’s important for students at this age to participate in fundraisers like this to help them think about others who are in need and the simple things they can do to make those lives better and easier,” she said. “It allows them to realize there are people in our community their age and older that deal with having cancer and what they have to do and experience on a daily basis.”

Student council member Jon Ramirez said this project has shown him that the kids at his school do truly care about others.

“It feels good to do this because I know I’m helping someone,” he said. “It’s important to help so that those who are sick can have the chance to live a longer and healthier life.”