Scarselli students donate to animal welfare group

Scarselli Elementary School's Cheetah Club spent February collecting $639 in pennies, which they donated to the Douglas Animal Welfare Group on Saturday.

"They are a great group of kids," said Scarselli teacher Robin Tinius. "The students chose DAWG because they wanted to help animals. This is our second year doing this fundraiser."

Tinius and fellow teacher Katie Hill help lead the Cheetah Club, which consists of about 60 third- through sixth-graders.

"We do school and community service," said Tinius. "Earlier in the year, we donated money from a bake sale for food for families, went Christmas caroling at Merrill Gardens, along with many activities at the school."

Tinius said the penny drive was coordinated with Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

"The penny drive was for the month of February, in honor of Lincoln's birthday and all, because his face is on the penny," she said.