ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MIElementary students donate huge pile of toilet tissue to charity

(02/03/12) - Students at Brendel Elementary School in Grand Blanc made a big contribution to charity Friday.

But it wasn't pennies, or food, or even coats.

It was toilet paper, and there's a very special reason for the paper push.

Under the leadership of the kindergarten students, who kept track of the donation count, the school surpassed its goal.

"They started with 500 as a goal, they stretched it to 1,000 and then they thought 1,500, we can do that," said principal Rachel Turner.

They did even better than that, collecting 2,791 rolls.

All of it will be donated to Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties.

Why toilet paper?

"We give away probably 500 rolls a month, so you can see that, that's just one item that we give away, not to mention laundry soaps and other detergents," said John Manse of Catholic Charities. "I've been to many elementary schools in Genesee County and collected many things and this is the first time I've been overwhelmed, I've never seen so much. I was told that they may have three or 400, but they have over 2,000."

The students didn't go away empty handed. Aside from the gratification that comes from helping others, the class that brought the most rolls won a special prize.