Clarke Helps Raise $57K for 9/11 Museum

was one of more than 200 schools that participated in a Penny Drive to raise money for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, according to Newsday.

In total, more than 5 million pennies were donated, and $57,000 was raised, $4,000 of which came from the due diligence of the students of W.T. Clarke Middle School.

Fifty students and their families had the opportunity to meet New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, including Clarke's Will Katrina. The money was raised through various bake sales, sporting events and other school endeavors.

From Newsday:

Ten years ago, students participating in a similar Penny Harvest donated almost $1 million to help victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"We even had a round table where kids voted on where the money should go," Katrina told Newsday.

"We have 600 students in our school and we have our special-ed students organizing the Penny Harvest," Debbie Marks, the school's special-education teacher, said. "It's a great way to immerse all our students and have them work together."

What do you think of the work that the district's students did with the penny drive? Tell us in the comments.