Flower Power – Students Raise Money With Decorated Pens

Prior students and friends of Amie Guarraia, a kindergarten teacher at Oswegatchie Elementary School, made a surprise visit to her husband, Matthew Guarraia, a fifth grade teacher at Quaker Hill Elementary School Tuesday and delivered a check for $736.69.

The money was raised through the summer by selling pens that the students hand-decorated with flowers and is meant to help the two teachers pay the medical costs associated with treating their five-year-old daughter, , who was diagnosed with leukemia in June.

"It all happened so fast," said Guarraia. "My kid had a fever and four hours later my kid's being admitted into oncology at Yale."

The school and community has supported the Guarraia family every step of the way.

"The people here are so good to you," said Guarraia. "We really appreciate all that everyone has done for us, Waterford is so amazing."

Guarraia said Madeline is doing well and will be ready to start school next September.