They shook out their pockets, looked under couch cushions and pledged their change at lunch.

For two weeks in April, Kirkland Middle School (KiMS) students gathered all the change they could find. Their goal was to raise as much money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they possibly could.

Sponsored by the National Junior Honor Society, KiMS students learned about the work the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society does to research treatments and cures, and to provide support for families.

Panther Time classes then competed to raise money. The class that raised the most money earned a lunch from Olive Garden. In the end, Mrs. Myhre’s Panther Time class won by bringing in more than $1,000.

As a school, KiMS will present a check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for more than $4,200.