Motivated U.P. students turn pennies into $1,500 for Gift of Life Michigan

Students in Kingsford raised $1,500 for Gift of Life in hopes of making a difference.

When Finnley Lutz saw her fellow high school students roll up with two wheelbarrows filled with pennies, she knew they were about to make a difference. 

Two penniesStudents at the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District in Kingsford (200 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge) raised more than $1,500 for Gift of Life Michigan this year in a penny war that filled the halls with enthusiastic energy. 

The district’s HOSA-Future Health Professionals student group spearheaded the fundraising after students in April experienced Gift of Life’s All of Us education program, which features plasticized human organs, interactive games and personal messages about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. 

“It was really life-changing,” said Finnley, who graduated in May and is headed to nursing school. 

“Before that, I wasn’t signed up to be an organ donor because I didn’t understand it. When Gift of Life came here, you could really feel the impact you’re making just by being an organ donor.” 

Students at the district’s Career & Technical Education Center have raised money for Gift of Life in the past, but this year brought in the most money yet. It took students 10 hours to count the mountains of change. 

“They made a real human connection,” said Jill Johnson, health occupations instructor at the school. “This is important to them. They know there are people their age who need organs.” 

“They’re a great partner, and we’re thrilled that our All of Us program motivated them to help us educate even more students,” said Susan Rink, Gift of Life’s director of advancement. “This money will make a real impact. We’re so grateful.” 

To learn more about Gift of Life’s youth outreach programs, go to golm.org/youth. 

Read more in the LifeLINES newsletter

Read More Posts
Liver recipient Alex and his mom, Tanisha, at his high school graduation.

From 8 months to 18 years old: Young man with donated liver reaches another milestone

From the outside, 18-year-old Alex Chandler seems like a typical teenager with a love for…

Read More
Ossium Health is working to find more sources of life-saving bone marrow for patients in need. Organ donors are now giving marrow through Gift of Life Michigan and other organizations.

Ossium Health enables organ donors to save even more lives

Gift of Life collaborates with bioengineering leader for bone marrow transplantation  An innovative bioengineering company…

Read More
Emilio DeFoe in the hospital, before he donated his organs

Myth debunked by fact: Doctors work to save your life if you’re a registered organ donor

A terrified Terra DeFoe waited and watched as physicians and nurses at University of Michigan…

Read More
Students at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti get a glimpse of human organs during a Gift of Life presentation at their school in June. To learn how to welcome All of Us into your school, go to golm.org/allofus.

New bill would educate more ninth graders about organ and tissue donation

Just 21% of new drivers in Michigan are registering as organ donors, and we’re concerned…

Read More
Public Education Specialist Cristal Rivas explains to Lincoln High School students that people with health conditions could still help others with organ and tissue donation.

Michigan’s only source for teen education about donation is saving lives

High school students fresh out of a wide-eyed hour of Gift of Life’s All of…

Read More
Chef Oliver Hale is a two-time kidney transplant recipient

Transplant Throwback: Chef Oliver Hale

Name: Chef Oliver Hale (Chef O)  Age: 71  Home: Kentwood, Michigan  Transplant: Kidney, twice   …

Read More
Scroll to Top