Southside students and staff hold a banner reading “Southside Gives to United Way” during an assembly Tuesday at the Niles School. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Teachers at Southside School in Niles baked the goods.

Students at Southside School purchased the goods.

The United Way of Southwest Michigan got the cash.

On Tuesday, Southside School’s students and staff presented $100 raised through a bake sale to Susan Matheny, campaign manager with United Way Southwest Michigan, at an assembly in Southside School’s gymnasium.

In return, Matheny brought a lollipop tree and handed out the lollipops to the students. United Way T-shirts were given to a few students lucky enough to receive a lollipop with a colored stick.

Matheny thanked the students for their contribution and told them the money would help fund United Way of Southwest Michigan community-service projects, such as the Day of Action for Seniors, which takes place Nov. 1. On that day, United Way volunteers will rake leaves, clean gutters and weatherize windows for senior citizens throughout Berrien and Cass counties.