each year, plum grove participates in a fundraiser for the leukemia & lymphoma society (lls) called "pennies for patients". during the fundraiser, organized by maura reid, students are encouraged to bring in donations in the form of pennies and other coins; the class with the donation that weighs the most is awarded a prize. several activities are also held during the fundraiser to support the lls. the school has participated in the fundraiser since 2002 and has been featured on cbs and in the "daily herald" for these actions. as of 2015, plum grove has raised over $143,000 for the charity.