In a crowded lunchroom on a cold January afternoon, an unlikely conversation was struck among a group of 10-year-old girls in the Memorial School lunchroom in Hooksett.

The fourth-graders spoke about how families in wartorn countries worried each day about food and water – a weighty topic for elementary school students.

“We said there are people in war torn countries who are thinking, ‘Am I going to have food and water?’” recalled Kathryn Dwyer.

And, in an instant, Kathryn’s four friends, Brianna Brennan, Amelia Royal, Amelia Wettengel and Holly Darby, decided they were going to try to help.

A fundraiser called Power of the Penny was brainstormed with the help of Principal Carol Soucy, and the girls set out to raise $250 by selling trail mix to their friends at lunch. All the proceeds were to be donated to two charities – an international group called Re-Invent the Future, an international organization that provides food and water to individuals in war-torn countries; and UpReach, a therapeutic riding clinic that services disabled children in New Hampshire.

“We were talking about how the government is talking about not making pennies anymore,” said Holly. “I said I think we should do a fundraiser for this because we have so much extra money that’s sitting around the house and Amelia and Brianna were like, ‘Yeah, that’s a great idea!’”

So, the five friends got to work.

Soucy said the group spent their recess and free time for weeks working to make fliers, write announcements and prepare bags of trail mix in the cafeteria to sell to the school.

“They have really thought a lot about their concern for others – that’s what really drove them,” said Soucy. “It’s been remarkable how deeply they thought about these world issues. They were very, very energized and they worked so well together.”

In the end, the girls ended up raising $313.08. Kathryn said the response to their efforts from the school faculty and their friends was overwhelming.

“Somebody brought in a $20 bill,” she said. “It’s amazing what spare change can do.”