By Kelly O'Connell Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Students in Auburn are emptying their pockets to help two fellow students who are battling cancer.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!Ogletree Elementary is pitching in to help second grader Carly Parker and fifth grader Bennie Pierce beat cancer.
These bags of bracelets symbolize much more than a school fundraiser, they stand for hope, love and above all generosity.
Students at Ogletree Elementary in Auburn are raising money for two of their own.
Two who aren't playing in the hallway or learning in the classroom.
Two who are fighting for their lives.
Both Carly Parker and Bennie Pierce were diagnosed with different forms of cancer last year.
Although their smiling faces are no longer seen in the school, they are not forgotten.
Students fill this counselor’s office every morning buying bracelets.
Many of these students don't even know Carly or Bennie; they just know it's the right thing to do.
The second day the bracelets were on sale, they sold out.
Since then they have ordered three shipments just to keep up with the demand.
For Taylor Ann Atkins these bracelets are a way to tell Carly and Bennie that they care and are thinking of them.
For her Carly is more than just a fellow student, she a friend.
“I'll go to the hospital and see her and so it’s different for everybody else because they maybe don't know how bad her condition can be,” says Taylor Anne Atkins.
Taylor Ann is doing all she can to help.
“I spent my whole bank account, $174 on bracelets and I just bought so many to help Carly and Bennie out,” says Atkins.
She wasn't alone.
The school has sold 4,000 bracelets and raised $12,000 for Carly and Bennie.
But the students are getting something back too, a lesson in why it's better to give than receive.
There’s good news about Carly and Bennie's recovery.
Carly had surgery this past weekend and 95 % of her cancerous tumor was removed.
Bennie is expected to undergo surgery next week to take out the cancerous parts in his lungs and kidney.
If you would like to donate money or purchase bracelets, you can send a check or money to Jenny Timm at 1292 Sweetwood Circle, Auburn, Alabama 36830.
Make the checks payable to “Bracelets for Carly and Bennie,”
Click these links to view both Carly’s and Bennie’s CaringBridge websites.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlyparker
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bp3
Here are the retail locations that are selling the bracelets:
Sports Academy, Pepperell Parkway, Opelika
Gold's Gym, Opelika Road, Auburn
AC Fitness for Women, Glenn Avenue, Auburn
Heartstrings, College Street, Auburn
Cutie Pie, Opelika Road, Auburn
Columbus and other retail locations will be added soon.