Plans by some Advanced Placement US History students to tour either Ellis Island or Salem, MA never came to fruition this year, but the students didn't allow the plans to fall by the wayside without turning their cancelled plans into a positive experience for some.

The students in Jen Patnode's and Rita Owen's class had planned to tour either the entry point for millions of US immigrants or site of the infamous Salem Witch trials. The class went so far as to sell candy in order to fund the trip.

But time passed and the trip was never made, Owens said, leaving the class with a dilemma - what to do with the $1,140 raised.

The students decided that some good should come of their misfortune and decided to donate the money to two causes: The National Kidney Foundation - which a member of the class has a special connection - and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The latter is a non-profit organization that promotes tolerance and provides free teaching materials to schools.