ELSANOR, Ala. – A few cents here and there might not seem like much, but for a small rural school like Elsanor Elementary, a few cents here and there really adds up.

Chesley Harrison began collecting box tops and UPCs from Campbell’s products about four years ago and said the money raised during that time has made a big difference for the school.

Just through the Box Tops for Education program, which gives 10 cents to the school for every box top collected, nearly $3,100 was raised last year.

“It adds up,” Harrison said. “We’re a small school and aren’t able to do a lot as far as regular fundraisers, so it makes a huge difference for us.”

And it’s not just money. Both the Campbell’s program and Coca-Cola, which collects product lids and UPC symbols from 12 and 24-pack cans, offers points that can be redeemed for supplies the school needs.

Through the Coca-Cola program, the school collected over 42,000 points, while the Campbell’s program collected 22,428 points last year.

“We were able to cash in points for a couple of tables the school needed,” she said. “One thing I want to stress is that a lot of people think Campbell’s is just soup and they do a lot more than soup. It’s also Franco American products, Pepperidge Farms, Bic pens, Pop Secret, V8. Anything that has the little Campbell’s boy on the label can be collected.”

The school also collects Capri Sun packages ($450 last year), ink cartridges ($500) and Tyson Chicken Labels ($51). They also take Greer’s receipts, which can be redeemed for points at the store, and Bruno’s receipts. This year students will also be collecting Community Coffee UPCs, which can be redeemed for 10 cents each.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s basically free money, so why not go for it,” she said. Oftentimes companies will also pay the shipping for the products.

Collecting product UPCs, labels and receipts has also become a competition between classes.

“We had a competition every nine weeks between classrooms and the first grade swept all four of them last year,” Harrison said. “I really want to commend first grade teachers Christie Lyles and Amanda Daigle. They really got creative with it and got the kids excited about it.”

The fundraising efforts even found their way into the school’s end of the year talent show.

“The first grade class came out and turned the song ‘Ice, Ice Baby’ into ‘Box Tops Baby,’” Harrison said. “They all dressed up with box tops on their shirts and danced a little routine. And they won! It just shows how it has really caught on.”

Anyone wanting information on fundraising programs can contact Harrison at the school, 251-947-5401 or email charrison@bcbe.org. Items can also be sent directly to the school at 23440 U.S. Highway 90, Robertsdale, AL 36567.