STATE – Students throughout New Jersey raised more than $122,000 to support cancer research during the Pasta for Pennies campaign presented by Olive Garden and benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
More than 28,000 students at 72 elementary, middle and high schools in the Garden State took part in the program, which collects spare change over a three-week period during the school year in classroom coin jars and boxes. Combined with funds contributed by students nationwide, the funds raised for LLS through Pasta for Pennies over the past 17 years now total more than $61 million.
The top fundraising class at each participating school received a pasta party from their local Olive Garden restaurant.
Every penny, nickel, dime and quarter raised helps fund blood cancer research and provides much needed services and support to leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma patients and their loved ones.
“This year’s Pasta for Pennies success is proof that anyone, no matter their age, can become involved and make a difference in the lives of others,” said John Caron, president of Olive Garden. “All of us at Olive Garden commend the many students, parents, teachers and administrators who came together for this program and turned pocket change into millions of dollars for cancer research.”
“We are grateful for the outpouring of generosity that made this year’s Pasta for Pennies campaign a success,” said Jessica Orr, campaign director of the LLS New Jersey Chapter. “It’s through the hard work of our student participants and partners like Olive Garden that we can collect the funds we need to work toward a cure to end blood cancers.”
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org .
