Since this past year has been isolating and lonely for many people, teachers and students at Central Manor Elementary School wanted to reach out to the community. In February, Central Manor first-grade teacher Karen Devenburgh asked Central Manor fourth-grade teacher Heather Piatt if her students would like to make Valentine's Day cards for residents nearby. "The kids really took to it, and it meant a lot to them that they were helping people out in the community," Piatt said.

This project served as a catalyst for a fundraiser for The Loft Community Partnership. All of the school's fourth-grade classes - taught by Piatt, Beth Neumann, Trent Soto, and Amy Wiggins - held a coin drive in connection with the school's "March Gladness" theme. Central Manor principal Brian Malek explained that "March Gladness" was established four years ago to inspire students and staff during what is often a challenging time of the year. "We create a fun month of positive school culture events to promote happiness during a time when it can be difficult, with spring having not yet arrived," Malek said.

Piatt explained that when the fourth-graders were making their "March Gladness" calendars, she thought it would be a good idea to do a coin drive because they had done the same project in the past for other nonprofits. When Piatt and Neumann were brainstorming ideas of organizations to help, they decided on The Loft. The Loft's mission is to decrease poverty in the Penn Manor School District by providing food, clothing, toiletries, transportation, and other resources for families in need, including families of students at Central Manor. "The kids like the idea that they're connected to the community in some way," stated Piatt. "One boy even donated $20 of his own money."

Penn Manor social worker Joy Meley hosted a live Google Meet presentation from The Loft for all four fourth-grade classes to show students some of the services the nonprofit provides.

By the end of March, the students had raised $376 for The Loft. Piatt said the fundraiser provided an opportunity to show students how their actions can affect other people in a positive way.