For a four-day period in mid-November, students at Lee-Jackson Elementary School were embroiled in a heated war; a penny war, that is.

Students were asked to bring in their pennies for a penny war, with all proceeds going to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society. Sponsored by the school’s guidance counselor Katie Howlett, the goal was to raise $500, but the students believed the spoils of war could be greater.

And, sure enough, on Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving, Lee-Jackson students presented GMHS with a check for $894.78. 

Ashley Saunders’ third grade class raised the most money, donating over $150 to the overall cause and received a special visit from GMHS and Kiwi, a dog available for adoption. The whole school met Kiwi, a hound mix, during an initial walk-through, but only the winning class was able to meet Kiwi and give her hugs and kisses.

The donation will be used to help purchase a transport van for the shelter. “Because we know that we have a l...