Library penny drive totals $1,262 overall

Whitman County Library’s penny drive this year raised $1,262 with proceeds designated for weekly children’s programs, special guests, crafts and incentives.

For the fifth year in a row, Vicki Hatley’s daycare won the Colfax classroom competition, securing more than $500 for the library.

Garfield kindergarten and first graders celebrated with an ice cream party. Oakesdale elementary students will celebrate with a pizza party June 4.

In LaCrosse more than $160 in coins were donated. The kindergarten class collected the highest amount in the school to earn a root beer float party.

Whitman County Library’s annual penny drive is done in conjunction with National Library Week as a way to raise awareness and funding for local services. Over the past five years, the drive has raised nearly $5,200 for children’s educational programs.