“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.”
It was this famous quote from Helen Keller that inspired Oxford Elementary teacher Mary Ludeman and her fifth-grade class to launch a schoolwide fund-raising campaign during the month of February that raised $140.14 to help save endangered animals.
What began as a class project quickly became a schoolwide effort after Ludeman’s pupils papered the building with colorful, eye-catching posters asking fellow students to contribute their pennies to adopt endangered animals.
“I thought if everybody brought their pennies in, together we could do so much,” said Ludeman, who called protecting endangered species her “passion.”
In previous years, Ludeman’s classes raised money to adopt manatees.
A total of 13,808 pennies was collected, according to Ludeman, which when combined with the nickels, dimes and quarters contributed, totalled $140.14.
“The kids were really enthusiastic,” Ludeman said. “They loved coming into the classroom and bringing their little bags of pennies. And we enjoyed watching them add up.”
After lots of research and careful deliberation, Ludeman’s class decided to adopt a Red Wolf ($25), Snowy Owl ($25), Polar Bear ($25), Florida Panther ($25) and a family of sea otters ($40).
Using the Internet, students researched various endangered animals and the cost to adopt them before deciding as a class how to spend the massive pile of pennies. The research provided a valuable learning experience.
Beckie Rooen, who chose the Florida Panther, learned there are fewer than 100 panthers left in the United States.
Florida’s panthers are being killed on busy highways at a high rate, while the state is losing an average of 20,000 acres per hour of wildlife habitat to urban sprawl, according to Rooen, who obtained her information from Defenders of Wildlife at www.defenders.org.
Jordan Praski researched adopting an infant gorilla for $50. She noted that gorillas are endangered because their African habitat is shrinking and they’re being killed by poachers.
Leah Gallo learned there are only 1,000 Red Howler Monkeys left and it costs $250 to adopt one.
Ludeman’s class is proof the change in your pocket can help change the world.