LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A group of Allen East sixth graders proved that solving math problems can add up to something much bigger than grades.
About a dozen students in the Allen East Math Intervention class raised nearly $1,000 for the Veterans Food Pantry of Northwest Ohio through a unique “Math-A-Thon” fundraiser. On Thursday, the students presented the organization with a check for $979.
The fundraiser worked similarly to a walk-a-thon, but instead of counting laps or miles, students collected pledges based on the number of math problems they answered correctly on a test. Family members and friends agreed to donate different amounts for each correct answer.
“Your, like parents or like your friends or your grandma and grandpa, they could sponsor you and they could pledge up to 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents or 25 cents or a dollar. Per problem That you could get correct on the test,” said sixth grader Ryker Foster.
The students said they wanted to improve their math skills while also helping a local cause that supports veterans in need.
Betsy Potts with the Veterans Food Pantry of Northwest Ohio said the donation will make a meaningful impact for the organization.
“Definitely it will help us next week when we go and buy our groceries that will be a major part of what we need for this coming week,” said Potts.
Potts also praised the students for their generosity and dedication to supporting local veterans through the creative fundraiser.
