St. Stephen’s Episcopal School second grade students collected pennies for the Samaritan’s Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.

 “We encouraged the children to bring in only pennies so that they would realize that when we all help, a little bit can make a big difference,” said St. Stephen’s Second grade teacher, Martha McLean.

The class collected $32.  A matching donation was added.  The children purchased a goat for Samaritan's Purse.

“We are grateful to Ozona National Bank for counting our precious pennies,” said McLean.

According to a spokesman from Samaritan’s Purse, "A dairy goat can be a barnyard blessing for a family suffering from malnutrition and poverty. This hardy creature will eat just about anything and can supply a gallon of fresh milk a day. That's plenty to drink with some left over to make cheese, yogurt or butter. Surplus dairy products can be sold to pay for essentials like medicine and schooling. From Latin America to Africa to Asia, Samaritan's Purse has provided thousands of goats and other dairy animals."

The Samaritan’s Purse emergency relief programs provide desperately needed assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease, and famine. They offer food, water, and temporary shelter to meet critical needs and give people a chance to rebuild their lives.

Their community development and vocational programs in impoverished villages and neighborhoods help people break the cycle of poverty and give them hope for a better tomorrow.

They impact the lives of vulnerable children through educational, feeding, clothing, and shelter programs that let them know they are not forgotten.

The penny drive is one of many service projects undertaken by St. Stephen’s students in an effort to help improve their community and their world.