Making life a little sweeter at Roosevelt Elementary School in Willmar

WILLMAR — The beautiful weather wasn't the only thing some Roosevelt Elementary School students got to enjoy during recess Monday afternoon.

The top three classrooms that raised the highest dollar amount for the Pennies for Patients program celebrated their efforts with ice cream and additional time on the playground.

The Pennies for Patients program supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a nonprofit health organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancers. This year, Roosevelt raised a total of $2,318.44 through the program.

1/5: Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Lori Lockhart hands out ice cream treats Monday afternoon to students that were in the top three classrooms to raise the highest dollar amount for the Pennies for Patients program at the school in Willmar. The Pennies for Patients program supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a nonprofit health organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancers. This year, Roosevelt raised a total of $2,318.44. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

2/5: Fifth-grade student Mason Flores, 10, climbs on the playground Monday afternoon at Roosevelt Elementary School in Willmar. Flores enjoyed extra recess time since he was in one of the top three classrooms to raise money for the Pennies for Patients program. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

3/5: Fifth-grade teacher John Tiernan plays on the swings with his students Monday afternoon at Roosevelt Elementary School in Willmar. Tiernan's class enjoyed extra recess time since they were one of the top three classrooms to raise money for the Pennies for Patients program. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

4/5: Classrooms at Roosevelt Elementary School that raised the highest dollar amount for the Pennies for Patients fundraiser celebrated with a sweet treat and additional recess Monday afternoon in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

5/5: Fifth-grade students Jacob Ellingson, 10, left, Xzavier Mares-Ciriaco, 11, Rylynn Quist, 11, Ricky Gutierrez, 10, and Gavin DeBoer, 11, enjoy their additional recess time Monday afternoon at Roosevelt Elementary School in Willmar. Classrooms at Roosevelt Elementary School that raised the highest dollar amount for the Pennies for Patients fundraiser celebrated with a sweet treat and extra time on the playground. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune