The small change came in handfuls of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters dropped into a big jar in Jennifer Piagesi's Honors English class.

Her students were vying with other English classes in all grades at Salisbury High School to see which class could contribute the most money in a Pasta for Pennies competition to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.

Pasta for Pennies is a national school event presented by the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant chain as a service, learning, character education and philanthropy program giving students a unique experience making a difference through teamwork–working together to aid thousands of children and adults in the fight against blood cancers like leukemia.

Students collect spare change over a three-week period of the school's choice. The change can come from friends or relatives or underneath the couch cushions.

What's important is the change is collected according to the Olive Garden website.

Piagesi's class, composed of most of the same students who won last year, took their spirit and pride a step further than just a plate of spaghetti consumed at their desks.

The classroom was decorated with string lights, crepe paper, balloons and plastic flowers to add a festive spirit to their victory luncheon.

English teacher Kate Rossetti, the school's Key Club advisor, and an organizer of the luncheon event, said Piagesi's class raised about $100 in small change, about half the total of all the school's other English classes combined.