Lots of small change added up to $1,280.88 in this year’s elementary Coins for Kids! collection, according to Christine McCafferty, elementary teacher.

“Elementary students started the coin collection on Dec. 2 and it continued until Dec. 17, she told The Icon.

During that this time, the students collected coins and dollars and put them in their grade level jar located in the elementary lobby.

On Dec. 18 McCafferty’s class took the coins to Citizens National Bank and watched how coins are counted in the machine. 

All the money was used to adopt families for Christmas through the Bluffton Community Assistance Program’s food pantry.

“We were able to help out four families this year by purchasing them gift cards to The Dough Hook for a Christmas meal, along with gift cards to other places to be able to purchase something that's been on their list to be able to celebrate Christmas,” she said.

“We are always so proud of our students collecting money for a good cause and being able to help people in need,” she added