It’s that time of year again! The time when teachers are getting pies thrown at their faces, a Kindle Fire and an iPad are being raffled, and, most importantly, people are raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

It’s time for Pennies for Patients!

Pennies for Patients helps people who are suffering from two types of blood cancers, leukemia and lymphoma. Students at Watertown Middle School are taking home small yellow boxes to collect spare change. Other students can take big white cardboard collection boxes to leave at restaurants, businesses, and any other public area. That money will be added to the whole school total and eventually help a lot of people.

This is the 11th year that WMS has participated in Pennies for Patients. The fund-raising runs from Feb. 24 through March 17.

According to Principal Kimo Carter, last year WMS raised a school-record $30,866.25, which was the fourth-highest amount among 28,000 schools. In the 10 years of Pennies for Patients, WMS has collected more than $228,000.

Teachers love doing things for Pennies for Patients, such as math teacher Jane Evans. Ms. Evans is holding the second annual rummage sale at Watertown Middle School on Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“It’s a super worthy cause, so many people are affected,’’ she said. “I am also doing this because my dad died from leukemia when he was 57 years old.

“The rummage sale is fun! It helps Pennies for Patients. It also helps the community by providing other peoples things to some people who might need them. It’s also an opportunity for kids to do community service.”

At the rummage sale, there will be tables from WMS homerooms, and the money that each homeroom makes will go to the homeroom total. There will also be a bake sale.

A lot of other teachers are helping with the fund-raising. On Thursday, March 6, Ms. MacAulay’s homeroom is holding a 3-point contest after school. In this contest, people can shoot 3-pointers and the person who makes the most will win a gift card. The entry fee is $3.

A lot of teachers and homerooms are holding events, selling things, or even raffling things so keep your eyes peeled and help, buy, or donate. Remember this is all going to a good cause!

And be sure to come to the rummage sale and bake sale to show your support for Pennies for Patients!

(To make a donation, please visit Watertown Middle School during regular school hours. For questions, or if you would like a collection box, or information on how to help, please contact Eleanor Donato at (617) 926-7783 (x35507) or [email protected].)

–Feb. 28, 2014–