Piñon Hills raises money with pumpkin painting

Piñon Hills Elementary School hosted its third annual Pumpkins, Pennies and Popcorn event Oct. 15 to 19.

Piñon principal Rommy Cronin said each class decorated their own pumpkin for the competition.

The pumpkins were then displayed on the school's stage, and a jar was placed beside each one. Rommy said on the day of judgment every student brought pennies from home.

Each class toured the pumpkins, and students put their pennies in the jar beside the pumpkin they thought best. The class whose pumpkin earned the most pennies won a popcorn party, and all the pennies were donated to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet.

"We raised $1,289.59," said Cronin.

She said Sarah Russell and Karen Tuggle's combined fifth-grade class won the competition and the coveted popcorn party.

"We love to do community service, and this is a good time of year to provide food for others," said Cronin.