Little hearts give big Published May 18, 2011 By 1st Lt. Ron Sears 5th Medical Operations Squadron MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Air Force Global Strike Command's North Plains Elementary school sponsored its second annual Penny War, a one-week event aimed at raising money to go towards the fight against cancer, here April 11 - 15. This year's Relay for Life fundraising event, led by Relay for Life champion and cancer survivor Michelle Betz, 5th Medical Group pharmacy technician, raised more than $1,400. Relay for Life is the world's largest cancer awareness event. Every year, millions of people gather together to remember those they have lost, celebrate those who have survived and raise money towards finding a cure. Last year's event went a long way in supporting the Susan G. Komen three-day walk for the cure, and this year proved no different. This year, the fundraising battle took place in small classrooms filled with big hearts and loads of pennies. In the penny war scenario, the objective was to collect as many points as possible. This is achieved when participants place their copper coins, valued at one point a piece, into their classroom war chest with the hopes of accumulating the highest total points by week's end. Counter attacks are made by enemy forces placing silver coins and/or dollars into competing jars, thereby subtracting the rivals' penny point gain. The competitive and giving spirit of North Plain Elementary students left piggy banks abandoned of their copper quarry and local banks depleted of their own penny supplies. At midweek, the students were placing dollar bills into their own war chests with tiny notes attached asking that their greenbacks be counted as pennies. By that Friday, the local banks' penny supplies were so low, they kindly asked their pennies be returned as soon as possible. The class with the highest point value raised would be declared the winner and receive a pizza party. In keeping with last year's tradition of recognition, the class with the highest dollar amount raised, a second place honor, was also invited to participate in the pizza bounty. North Plains Elementary surpassed last year's effort in half the time. The 2011 Penny War victory went to Marybeth Popham's second grade class. The award for the highest dollar amount raised belongs to Debra Reinke's first grade students. It was a team effort. "When I completed my count, I was blown away," said Ms. Betz. "I couldn't believe we raised that much money in just one week. At a time when pinching pennies deems necessary, the children, parents and teachers opened their hearts, dug deep and helped continue the fight against cancer. Their generosity literally brought tears to my eyes." Ms. Betz gave special thanks to her co-workers, North Plain Elementary's principle Wayne Strand and his staff, members of the Wells Fargo Bank, Stacey Bucholtz, and Master Sgt. Tracy Buechler for their time, commitment and dedication to this very worthy cause.