For Immediate Release
Contact: Todd Culpepper, 872-5885, ext. 107
March 25, 2002
Raleigh, NC – The children of Loaves and Fishes, Inc. (LAF), a nonprofit organization providing long-term, holistic support to Raleigh’s high-risk children through after-school programs, are sponsoring a fundraising drive to collect 1 million pennies in 1 year.
The event – called Pennies for Children – will not only generate funds for the organization, but will provide significant lessons as well.
"We feel it is important for the children to get involved in all aspects of the organization," said Chris Decker of SAS, the LAF board member who is overseeing the event. "Our children love what we do. They love coming here. Heading up a fundraiser gives them a chance to give back and lets them take part in something big and important from start to finish – something with a significant payoff in the end."
All LAF children – ages 5 through 18 – will participate in the drive. The children are beginning with no pennies, and will be involved in creating a campaign to promote the event in the community.
Funds generated between March 15 and July 15, 2002 will be matched by the Steward’s Fund, a local family foundation providing grants to nonprofit organizations in the community.
"We are excited about this event because it has value and meaning at so many levels," Decker said. "The kids will find out what a million really means because they will be involved in the collecting and counting of the money. Helping them understand the value of money at a young age is a significant life lesson."
The children hope to collect at least 200,000 pennies ($2,000) by July 15th, which would amount to $4,000 through the matching funds program.
Loaves and Fishes, Inc., is a non-profit, 501 3(c) organization located in Raleigh, North Carolina, providing long-term support for high-risk children who need individualized assistance in the development of academic and social skills. More information is available on the organization web site at
