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 Todos nosotros 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 Todos nosotros 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

Leer más publicaciones
broken piece of paper

Understanding Brain Death

The concept of brain death can be confusing and difficult to process for loved ones….

Lee mas
Lisa Haney

Transplant Throwback: Lisa Haney

Name: Lisa Haney  Age: 54  Home: Detroit  Transplant: Heart  Why did you need a transplant…

Lee mas
Photos of transplant recipients on a mural at Gift of Life Michigan

A message to the donation community

From President and CEO Dorrie Dils Regulations pull donation and transplantation in opposite directions, resulting…

Lee mas
Gift of Life staff holding their hands in the shape of hearts

Gift of Life’s employee giving hits a new high

Nearly one-third of Gift of Life’s 394 employees gave back financially to the organization last…

Lee mas
Gift of Life logo on its building

Gift of Life set records in 2024

Thank you to donors who healed lives and residents who registered on their tax forms …

Lee mas
His time as a nurse assistant at Mott helping pediatric heart patients is a full-circle experience for Tommy.

Tommy Schomaker survives and thrives helping sick kids like him

He graduated this spring with a nursing degree Tommy Schomaker entered the world in 2000…

Lee mas
Vuelve al comienzo