Learning the power of a penny

The Penny Harvest at P.S. 17 in Astoria began when 11 fourth and fifth graders decided that they wanted to raise money for a good cause, and the fundraising ended last week with the class presenting a $1,000 check to the Queens Child Guidance Center (QCGC).
&#8220While one person gives a penny, another gives $100, but the amount is the same because each is given with much care and towards a noble cause. So we would like to thank every person who donated from a penny to a higher amount,” 12-year-old Mehrin Bakht, president of the Penny Harvest, said to the QCGC representative Linda Henley.
For the past year, Bakht and her classmates solicited donations from parents, family, friends, and local businesses, and hauled the loot - often up four flights of stairs - to their classroom. Once they had finished collecting, the students searched online for charities, where the majority of the donations were actually given to needy people, said their teacher Hilton DuBovy.
&#8220These are children like us, and they don't have enough,” Bakht said when asked why QCGC was chosen.
With their donation, the QCGC will buy toys for their holiday toy drive and school supplies for needy children. Last year the QCGC collected over 6,000 toys for the holidays.
&#8220We wanted to give a lot of money to people who need it,” said Penny Harvest Vice President Jose Recinos. Both Recinos and Bakht will graduate P.S. 17 this month, but DuBovy is optimistic for next year, since about half of the kids involved were in fourth grade.
&#8220I hope they can take more of a leadership role,” DuBovy said, adding that the Harvest has helped several of the children break out of their shell.