It’s time for a change.
After more than 16 years of the News Bulletin’s annual Pennies for Presents campaign, we’re changing it up and renaming the fundraiser Coins for Kids.
The campaign was simple – collect spare pennies and drop them off at the News Bulletin and participating locations; we will get them rolled, deposited and donated to charities in Nanaimo. With the federal government phasing out the penny, we needed to come up with a new name, hence Coins for Kids, said publisher Maurice Donn.
“The campaign is a tradition among Black Press newspapers, especially at the News Bulletin,” Donn said. “We wanted to continue raising money for charity in Nanaimo, and now we’ve rebranded the campaign with the name Coins for Kids.”
The campaign raises money for three charities in Nanaimo – the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive, the Salvation Army and the Nanaimo Boys and Girls Club, which support children and their families at Christmas with gifts and food.
Since its inception, Coins for Kids has raised more than $160,000 in Nanaimo alone. Last year the community donated more than $8,000.
It’s easy to participate; simply gather up your spare change from sock drawers, couch cushions and vehicle floor mats and bring it in to the News Bulletin or one of our community drop-off locations.
“It doesn’t even have to be rolled,” Donn said.
Donations are accepted now until Dec. 19. Throughout the campaign, the News Bulletin will publish stories about people who are fundraising, the charities that benefit and the volunteers who help pull the campaign together.
To donate, please drop off coins to InPrint, John’s Bedroom Barn, Northridge Fitness, Sink or Swim Scuba, La-Z-Boy, Royal LePage (Brooks Landing), Coast Realty (Downtown), ICBC Driver Licensing Centre on Metral Drive, Cline Medical Centre, or Quality Foods (University Village). Donations can also be dropped off at the News Bulletin, 777 Poplar St., on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, please call 250-753-3707.