Last month we told the story of Curtis Middle School student Hanna Fitzgerald and her quest in collecting 50,000 pennies and donating them to the U.S. military.

As of last week, Hanna and her family say they are up to 17,370.

"Hanna's getting there," Hanna's mom, Roberta, told Sudbury Patch in an email.

In helping her effort, Koko FitClub, American Legion Post 191, Longfellow's Wayside Inn and the Sudbury Swim and Tennis Club have offered Hanna to use their locations as a drop-off for people wanting to donate pennies.

Hanna and her family plan on donating the pennies on Oct. 10 in Wildwood, N.J., during the 60th reunion for the 4th Amphibian Tractors, a platoon of Marines that her grandfather, Leo Mogavero, was a member of before dying in 2004.

The 13-year-old started her project, called Penny for Your Thoughts, in July using Facebook, Twitter and word of mouth to spread the word.

In that time she has received dozens of letters of support from all over the country, with people offering words of encouragement ... along with a few pennies.

"It means a lot," said Hanna, who added one person sent her a 1906 Indian penny. "It's a good thing to donate to the military and help others."

To help with Hanna's cause, send your pennies to:

Hanna Fitzgerald
PO Box 1172
Sudbury, MA 01776.