During the 2005-06 school year, teacher Libby Anderson’s second and third grade combination class embarked on a study of lighthouses. A lighthouse fan herself, Anderson incorporated the topic in the studies of science, geography, math, history, and writing. Students picked a lighthouse and created a poster or scrapbook. They constructed a model, including a landform map, of their specific lighthouse.

 

"One student, Conner Sandman, was concerned that his topic, the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, did not have a lantern room," said BLM Piedras Manager Jim Boucher. "Conner started a campaign he dubbed 'Pennies for Piedras' to raise funds for the restoration of the current truncated tower." (text continues below)

Students brought in pockets full of change. At school, they have held bake sales and juice sales. At Lighthouse Club meetings, they decorated shell and plaster magnets, rock paperweights, picture frames, and plaques with lighthouses and sold them. At home, the children had lemonade stands on sunny Saturdays and hot chocolate stands on cool weather Saturdays. Some children have also donated proceeds from family garage sales, from chores, from a portion of their allowance, and contributions from grandparents.

All these efforts culminated in “Pennies for Piedras” raising $1,227.30 in the 2005-2006 school year and $1,600 this school year. The funds will go directly into restoration efforts.