Nell Holcomb students raise money to benefit cancer treatment of friend, former classmate Kailey Weber

It's always good to have friends while you're growing up, particularly the kind who will be there for you when times get tough.

Kailey Weber was diagnosed with leukemia in May; the eighth-grade student (she used to attend Nell Holcomb Elementary School) knows she has many friends who care for her and want her to get better.

Through a friendly competition called "Penny Wars" that began Oct. 1, Kailey's classmates in the Junior Beta Club initiated a fundraiser that meant searching high and low for spare change to be donated toward her medical expenses.

Their efforts proved a success, with nearly $1,700 being raised and presented to Kailey and her family Monday at Nell Holcomb.

"I'm totally amazed at what everyone has done in trying to help Kailey," said Tracy Weber, Kailey's mother. "The kids have done an incredible job."

Principal Mary Boeller said all students went above and beyond in the competition.

"They, along with their parents, stepped up to the plate," Boeller said. "I'm very proud of my students for the way they have helped Kailey."

Penny Wars was suggested as a fundraiser by Wendi Orenstein, a third-grade teacher and sponsor of the Junior Beta Club.

The grade levels at the school, from kindergarten through eighth grade, were divided into three teams that competed to raise the most money.

Teams received points for the silver coins they collected and put into their jars at school, but they lost points for the pennies that kept finding their way into the count.

"It was a fun way to raise money for Kailey," Orenstein said. "The kids had a ball bringing in the silver coins, and some equally enjoyed dumping pennies into the jars of the competition. But whether it was quarters, pennies or whatever, the most important thing was that money was being raised for a friend."

Orenstein said a kindergartner had brought in a large Culligan water-bottle full of pennies to give to Kailey.

"I couldn't believe how big the thing was," she said. "We also had a parent of a second-grader give us $100 in cash. It's been fantastic, and I couldn't be more proud."

Kailey, 13, is being homeschooled this year because of her treatments at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Her mother said she had been receiving treatment every other week, but she will soon be going to Memphis weekly for the next two years. Kailey's classmates miss her but understand why she can't yet be back in school.

Classmate Emery Naeter said she and Kailey are close friends.

"I felt bad when Kailey was diagnosed," Naeter said, "but I'm glad we were all able to pitch in and do this for her."

Brent Tiemann, also a classmate, said he was glad that the Junior Beta Club raised the money for Kailey.

"I've known Kailey since we were in kindergarten," Tiemann said, "and I think it's cool to raise money to help her."

Kailey's leukemia is thought to be in remission; a person wouldn't be able to tell that she was ill judging by her bright smile, positive outlook and casual bravery.

"I'm excited," Kailey said Monday. "I know that a lot of people are thinking about me."

After the ceremony that honored her, she said, "This is my family here," referring to her friends and classmates at Nell Holcomb. "So I know they're going to look out for me."

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address: 6547 Highway 177, Cape Girardeau, Mo.