By BRIANA HARRIS / Staff Writer

PELHAM – Pelham Ridge Elementary raised $6,300 and collected 1,100 canned food items during the school’s annual Cans and Coins Drive from Nov. 14-18.

Fifth grade teacher Richard Powers, who helped organize the week’s events, said it’s the most money and food the school has ever collected.

The canned food that was collected is being donated to Oak Mountain Missions Ministries’ food bank, and the money will be used to fund school-wide initiatives and to make a donation to the Pelham Police Department’s No Shave November Campaign benefiting the nonprofit organization Wings of Hope.

“We decided to donate to police department’s No Shave November Campaign to show support for our School Resource Officer, Officer Gettz,” Powers said. “The students love him and he’s a valuable part of our school.”

Each day students dressed up in different outfits to match the day’s theme and the money being collected. Monday was Pennies and Pajamas, and students were asked to bring pennies to school and were allowed to wear pajamas.

Tuesday was Nerdy for Nickels and Wednesday was Defense for Dimes where students dressed up as their favorite superhero defenders. Students wore cool hats and sunglasses for Thursday’s Cool for Quarterbacks theme.

Friday was Cash for College and students wore clothes to support their favorite sports team. The week culminated with Alabama/Auburn Teacher Games on Friday. Teachers divided into Auburn and Alabama teams and competed in games like Human Hungry Hungry Hippos, Tug of War, Bean Bag Tic Tac Toe and a matching game where teachers had to match SEC college teams with their mascots.

“Auburn won the teacher games,” said Powers, who coordinated the games, “but usually whoever wins the teacher games doesn’t win the Iron Bowl. Now, I wouldn’t go bet a bunch of money on it or anything, but that’s how it has been for the past couple of years.”

Fourth grade teacher Maggie Blaising’s class raised $387, the most money raised by a class, so they will get to decide on a style for Office Gettz’s beard when he shaves it at the end of November.

The school also awarded grade level winners. The class that raised the most money in each grade was allowed to pick one teacher or staff member to get pied in the face.

As a reward for collecting the most canned food and money in the school’s history, the school’s three administrators agreed to be slimed.

“It was a really fun week that we look forward to every year and the kids always enjoy it,” Powers said.