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TORONTO - The city school district and city chamber of commerce have teamed up for a penny drive to benefit the city unit of the Salvation Army.

The fundraiser, part of Make a Difference Day on Oct. 24, was co-organized by chamber President Melissa Clark-Tice and Karaffa Middle and S.C. Dennis schools, according to Maureen Taggart, Karaffa principal.

"We were contacted by the chamber president," said Taggart. She wondered if we could partner with the chamber on a penny drive project.

"Oct. 19 we sent a notice home to parents announcing we were going to begin the drive Oct. 20," Taggart continued, noting Oct. 23 would have been the last day.

"To encourage the pupils to bring in pennies, the chamber is offering a free pizza party to the homeroom that brings in the most pennies this week. It really has sparked a competition among the classroom. The response has been overwhelming."

Taggart said penny containers for individual classrooms at the beginning of the drive were filled up after the first day.

"You could tell they were cleaning out their piggy banks," Taggart continued. "They are very excited at the prospect of getting a pizza party."

Taggart said individual homerooms will count pennies collected.

Patti Quinn, principal of S.C. Dennis, said pupils there "seem very excited abut the project. We had to explain to them how the Salvation Army benefits the community.

"We're trying to make a difference," Quinn continued.

"Partnering with the chamber is a new approach for us. Hopefully we will have some good results working as a team."

Clark-Tice said working with the city schools for a good cause has been a good experience for all involved.

"Every little bit helps," she said.

"We're not profiting from this fundraiser. All the funds go toward the Toronto Unit of the Salvation Army."

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)