The online dictionary Wikipedia defines philanthropy as "the effort or inclination to increase the well-being of humankind, as by charitable aid or donations."

In more common language, this usually means contributing to an organization through time, talent or treasure.

The 550 students of Marvista Elementary School in Normandy Park, then, can certainly be called extraordinary philanthropists for their recent donation of $700 to Highline Medical Center's new Emergency Room and Patient Care Unit.

At the beginning of the school year, students began a penny drive. The Totally Awesome Penny People (T.A.P.P.) collected 30 25-pound bags of pennies from students, neighbors, friends and families.

The entire school became involved in deciding which worthy causes should receive the donations, and then a group of 5th and 6th grade students narrowed down the decision and made the final choices.

On May 17 at an all-school assembly, the students presented a $300 check to Union Gospel Mission and a $700 check to Highline Medical Center.

Accepting the check was CEO Mark Benedum, whose own sons are Marvista Elementary alumni and ER physician Dr. Kimberly Yeargin.

In thanking the children for their tremendous effort, CEO Benedum said, "We treat approximately 50,000 people in our ER each year, and even if each one of them donated a penny, that still would be less than the total number of pennies collected by all of you. Congratulations!"