On Nov. 13, 2015, the eighth grade Penny war at Bedford Middle School began.

Penny War works with Patty Haberstroh, a member of the Westport Department of Human Services. The goal of this department is to help families in need in Westport.

The goal of the penny war is to raise money for holiday gifts. The average number of gifts given is twice the number of students in the eighth grade. At the opening of the event emceed by Mr. Kevin Cucccaro Mrs. Haberstroh told the students gathered in the auditoriuem, “If it weren’t for the generosity of people like you guys, a lot of people would not have had gifts for the holidays.”

Mr. Cuccaro, an eighth grade teacher at Bedford, said that all eighth graders were, “Enlisted soldiers for the penny wars.”

Last year, over $10,000 was raised, and since the