Telegraph photo by MATHEW PLAMONDON Main Dunstable Elementary School third-grader Charlie Long, 8, sorts through bags of change while he and his brothers work to cash in the donations made for the school’s Presidents Day Penny Drive.

Whether it be students who are sick, or nonprofit organizations geared to benefit the community on a broader spectrum, the drive serves as a fun and competitive way for the school to give back to the community.

During the duration of the penny drive, classes compete to see who can raise the most funds. This year, the drive generated $1,458 dollars in total. Iris Mattia’s kindergarten class led the way, bringing in $324.32 alone.

Each year, the school’s student council organizes the fundraiser, choosing the organization to receive the donations. In the past, the funds have either been donated to fellow students who are sick and in need, or to nonprofit agencies in the city.

On Tuesday morning, fifth-grade brothers Ethan Long and Henry, as well as their younger brother, Charlie, a third-grader, spent part of their February school vacation cashing in the coin donations at Bar Harbor Bank and Trust on Main Street. The bank allowed the school to take all the coin returns without taking a cut.

Telegraph photo by MATHEW PLAMONDON Main Dunstable Elementary School fifth-graders Henry and Ethan Long, both 11, cash out coins at the coin machine at Bar Harbor Bank and Trust on Main Street, Tuesday morning. The proceeds, which were collected during the school’s Presidents Day Penny Drive, will be split between Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter and the Front Door Agency.

The Long children and their mother Katie, a fourth-grade teacher at the school, have volunteered their time after the penny drive during their February break from school for a couple of years.

Both Ethan and Henry, who are part of the school’s student council, said they enjoy helping the program – with the understanding of how important such fundraisers are to the community.

“Well, it just helps us have a better community and helps people have better lives here,” Ethan Long said. “It’s very important. Extra money helps the community get better, especially people who are struggling.”

Two years ago, the proceeds from the penny drive went to two students who were battling cancer. Last year, the money was split between a student and a nonprofit. This year, the proceeds will be split between the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter and the Front Door Agency.

Soup kitchen Executive Director Michael Reinke said programs such as this serve to inspire the community. This encourages involvement of the children. The decisions to donate to specific causes made by the student council speaks volumes to the character of the families and teachers who help them get involved, he said.

Telegraph photo by MATHEW PLAMONDON Brothers Charlie, Ethan and Henry Long, all students at Main Dunstable Elementary School, spend part of their February vacation cashing in coins from the school’s Presidents Day Penny Drive at Bar Harbor Bank and Trust on Main Street. The proceeds will be split between Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter and the Front Door Agency.

“It’s one of the things that is most inspiring about this job,” Reinke said, “how young people intuitively really understand the importance of family, friends and neighbors.”