By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – It was a lofty goal, but students, teachers and parents at Helena Intermediate School came together and raised a whopping $25,424.38 from the annual coin drop fundraiser the week of Sept. 10.

The five-day coin drop fundraiser event helped raise funds for classroom supplies and technology as 100 percent of the money raised went directly back to the school. This year, 10 percent of the funds went directly back to teacher-classroom accounts.

Students were encouraged to start collecting pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollar bills for the coin drop as each day had a different theme.

The goal was to raise $25,000 and the classrooms that brought the most money each day received a variety of prizes.

The following were the themes for each day of the coin drop fundraiser:

–Monday, Sept. 10, was deemed “punting for pennies” as students were encouraged to wear their favorite team jersey and bring in as many pennies as possible. Mayer Insurance provided pizza parties for the top classes in each grade.

–Tuesday, Sept. 11, was a “nations for nickels” theme as students were encouraged to wear red, white and blue and bring in as many nickels as possible. Top classes in each grade won a prize and more recess time.

–Wednesday, Sept. 12, featured a “dreaming for dimes” theme where students were encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring in dimes. The top classes in each grade enjoyed a snack of milk and cookies provided by Helena McDonalds.

–Thursday, Sept. 13, featured a “characters for quarters” theme as students dressed as their favorite book, movie or TV character and brought in as many quarters as possible. The top classrooms in each grade won Amazon gift cards donated by Kona Ice.

–Lastly, on Friday, Sept. 14, the theme was “barking for bucks” as students were encouraged to wear Huskies gear and bring in bills or checks. The top classes in each grade won cookie cakes.

Classes competed on a day-to-day basis against other classes in their grade level to be the overall top class in the school each day and at the end of the week.

The overall top class for the week was Mrs. Hopper’s class who will receive a free field trip to Top It Off for frozen yogurt.

Since the school reached their goal of $25,000, HIS Principal Kathy Paiml will be slimed in front of the whole school. Last year, the fundraiser helped the school build a new track and install two new basketball goals and this year the school will purchase several Chromebooks and audio equipment.

For more information on the coin drop, visit Facebook.com/Helena-Intermediate-School-501407216625324/.