Herky plans visit to thank students in Marion

MARION - A special visitor is planning to stop by Vernon Middle School in Marion Wednesday to thank students for a recent fundraising effort.

Herky, the University of Iowa's mascot, stops by the school, 1350 Fourth Ave., at 1 p.m. Wednesday to present students with a certificate of appreciation for their recent donation to the UI Stead Family Children's Hospital. Herky will thank the kids during a schoolwide assembly.

The Student Council at Vernon Middle School conducted a 'Change the World” fundraiser and donated more than $1,164 to the children's hospital. The donation was made on the University of Iowa's 'One Day for Iowa” on Oct. 26, when friends and alumni of the university were invited to support the area of the UI they care about most.

Carrie Klein, assistant principal at the school - which has 660 students in grades five through eight - said the change drive was conducted over one week with students challenged to bring in different coins on different days.

She said the effort was led by Elli Wieneke, a physical education teacher at the school and adviser for the Student Council.

'We do this every year,” said Wieneke, explaining the members of the Student Council pick the recipient each year for the money. 'We picked (UI Stead Family Children's Hospital) a couple years ago. A lot of kids know someone who has spent time there, so it really relates to them.”

Wieneke said this year's drive took place the third week in October with pennies collected on Monday, nickels on Tuesday, dimes on Wednesday, quarters on Thursday and 'anything goes” on Friday.

'I had to make two trips to the bank this year because I had so much change,” said Wieneke. 'On the last day, teachers usually pitch in something. The kids see that and it motivates them.”

Dana Larson, executive director of communications and marketing for the University of Iowa Foundation, said the money goes toward the UI Stead Family Children's Hospital Fund.

'The Fund supports research and programs not covered by other funding, and helps ensure that UI pediatric patients and their families receive the top-quality care and services for which the hospital is known,” she said in an email.