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BES students make pennies pay off for charity
1101 Blandford Pennies for Patients
Blandford Elementary students Hannah Manning and Garrett Wilder join school counselor Erin Watson alongside the cart she wheeled down the hallways to collect donations for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys Pennies for Patients campaign. - photo by Photo provided
Staff Report
Updated: Oct 31, 2013, 11:28 PM
Published: Oct 31, 2013, 11:31 PM

Students at Blandford Elementary School gave their pennies — and a lot more —to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.


The children participated in the LLS’ Pennies for Patients campaign from Oct. 7-28 and raised more than $2,000.


“The students and staff at BES recognize the importance of helping and giving to others,” said school counselor Erin Watson.


Money donated during the campaign supports research for cures for blood cancers and for treatment of patients with the different types of blood cancers.


The students far exceeded the $800 fundraising goal Blandford Elementary set for the campaign.


“The students were great about doing it,” said BES Principal Harriett Snooks. “They would ask, ‘Can we bring dollars? Can I give my birthday money?’”


LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. To learn more about the the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit the Web site www.LLS.org.
Effingham School Board Approves $203M budget with Potential Property Tax Increase
2026 budget
This chart illustrates how the Effingham County School District’s $203 million general fund is allocated for fiscal year 2026, including spending on salaries, benefits, transportation, health services, and safety and security. (Courtesy of Effingham School District)
Updated: Jun 20, 2025, 1:18 PM
Published: Jun 20, 2025, 12:51 PM
The Effingham County Board of Education approved a $203 million fiscal year 2026 budget Thursday night, reflecting an 11% increase over last year. The rise is largely due to an $8 million spike in health and retirement benefit costs for employees. To help cover the shortfall, the district may raise the property tax millage rate, potentially increasing homeowners’ taxes by up to 12 percent.
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