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Horace Mann fund-raiser

Horace Mann Elementary School students (from left) Tytus Ladyga, Caleb Kendall, Major Southerland, Olive Gearhart and Paisley Kilkenny, display a portion of money raised during the school’s Jar Wars.
Horace Mann Elementary School students (from left) Tytus Ladyga, Caleb Kendall, Major Southerland, Olive Gearhart and Paisley Kilkenny, display a portion of money raised during the school’s Jar Wars. Photo provided by Huntington County Community School Corporation.

Horace Mann Elementary School conducted its third annual Jar Wars fund-raiser last week, with the proceeds being donated to United Way of Huntington County. In all, $1,238.14 was raised for United Way throughout the week.

As the name would indicate, Jar Wars features assigned teams consisting of grades and classrooms battling to raise the most amount of money through accumulating cash and coins in large jars.

This year, the team of the second and fifth grade classrooms and Macy Phillips’ Essential Skills classroom were victorious, raising a total of $604.49 in donations. The winning classrooms will receive parties including movies and popcorn.

Though the competitive component of the fund-raiser is of course a motivation, Horace Mann Elementary Principal Chris Baut noted the desire to help others shines through as the driving force for the fund-raiser.

“Through this fund-raiser, we help our students understand the importance of giving back to the community,” Baut said. “Each year, it is amazing how our students step up and find ways to contribute and give back. The kids really take pride in helping out others, which helps create a sense of community inside and outside the building.

“Fund-raisers like this create a powerful message of caring for others in the face of adversity.”

Horace Mann’s Jar Wars has seen growth in years two and three of the tradition. After raising slightly over $400 in 2018, the donations exploded to over $1,100 in 2019 before topping $1,200 this year. United Way of Huntington County President and CEO Kyle Metzger was grateful for the support shown by Horace Mann.

“We always appreciate fund-raisers like Jar Wars because they not only raise a surprising amount of dollars, but it gets so many people involved in an exciting way!” Metzger said. “We want to thank Mr. Baut and everyone at Horace Mann for their efforts this year and every year to support United Way and the community. We need you now more than ever!”