14 Feb 2003
Annual Coin Collection Campaign Teaches Schoolchildren About Philanthropy
DALLAS–Pennies may add up to dollars, but in the case of the pocket change collected over the past four years by the Dallas Independent School District students, the small coins are chi-chinging to the sum of almost $100,000.
This year, students participating in the Common Cents project donated $31,160.71 of that sum to local nonprofit organizations at a news conference Thursday, Feb. 13. The money was raised by 38 schools for the Common Cents project, a coin-collection campaign.
Superintendent Mike Moses was on hand at the event as the students presented 44 checks to representatives from 31 nonprofit organizations.
Moses said the Common Cents project is more than a coin-collection campaign. He said it encourages good citizenship and promotes social responsibility in schoolchildren.
"The project engages students in a philanthropic experience that develops leadership skills while providing an avenue for community outreach participation," he said. "Common Cents provides our students the opportunity to make a difference in their communities, one penny at a time."
Of the funds awarded this year to nonprofit organizations, Promise House received the most money, totaling $5,656. 91. The agency works to raise the self-esteem of at-risk young people and helps them identify and develop their gifts and talents.
Students at two schools collected more than $2,000. Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary students raised $3,000. Students at Sidney Lanier Vanguard for the Expressive Arts raised $2,020.11.
The Common Cents project was introduced to the DISD students in 1998 by longtime Dallas philanthropist Louise Gartner. Starting with fewer than 10 schools that first year, students raised $8,100. Over the four year history of the program, about 61 nonprofit organizations have received almost $97,500.
Gartner, who was unable to attend the news conference, sent the students a message that complimented them for their continued commitment to the project and this year's successful coin collection drive. She said the students efforts were a testimony to the power of philanthropy and its force that changes lives.
"Common Cents project proves that children working together with a philanthropic spirit are empowered to make a substantial contribution to their community," Gartner's message said. "By participating in the project, students at a young age learn they have the resources to reach out to the community."
Designed to ignite a passion for philanthropy, the Common Cents project starts in the fall with an orientation for all student participants. The orientation outlines the mission, objectives and responsibilities of the program. This includes learning the importance of a community's commitment to philanthropy and the rewards of the gift of giving. The coin collection process at each participating campus follows the orientation.
Once the money, mostly coins, is collected, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company counts literally barrels of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. While coins are being tallied, a request for proposals is issued to alert the nonprofit community about the available funds.
All proposals received by the deadline were reviewed and discussed at a roundtable by each campus roundtable that raised at least $1,000. Schools that collected less than a $1,000 were partnered together in a joint roundtable discussion.
The winning proposals were selected through consensus reached in the roundtable discussions. The students awarding the grants invited the winning nonprofit organizations to the news conference, the culminating event of the Common Cents campaign.
Attached is a list of the nonprofit organizations selected by the students to be recipients of the funds raised in this year's Common Cents Campaign.
William M. Anderson Elementary, $1,090.03
Child Abuse Prevention Center American Red Cross
Casa View Elementary, $1,343.59
White Rock Center of Hope
W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy, $1,541.68
Promise House
Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary, $3,000
Head Start of Greater Dallas, Lake June Center
Reading Is Fundamental
Child Abuse Prevention Center
Family Gateway
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Hillcrest High School, $1,600
Genesis Women's Shelter
Louise Kahn Elementary, $1,163.70
Citizens Development Center
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Sidney Lanier Center for Expressive Arts, $2,020.11
Promise House
Winnetka Elementary, $1,877.99
Buckner Children and Family Services
B.H. Macon Elementary, $1,121.30
Child Abuse Prevention Center
Head Start of Greater Dallas, Lake June Center
T.L. Marsalis Elementary, $1,000
Promise House
Ronald McNair Elementary, $1,253
Oak Cliff Boys and Girls Club on Worth Street
Artreach
W.B. Miller Elementary, $1,050.25
Child Abuse Prevention Center
Promise House
Raul Quintanilla Middle School, $1,423.38
Children's Medical Center Dallas/ARCH
John H. Reagan Elementary, $1,684.77
AVANCE, Dallas Concilio
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Oak Cliff Churches and Emergency Aid
Rosemont Elementary, $1,000
Girls Inc.
United Way
Oak Cliff Mission
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Sarah Zumwalt Middle School,$1,010.91
Child Abuse Prevention Center
Joint Roundtable Schools: $7,980
John Neely Bryan Elementary, David W. Carter High, Gilbert Cuellar Elementary, Amelia Earhart Elementary, James Hogg Elementary School, Oliver Wendell Holmes Classical Academy, Daniel "Chappie" James Learning Center, Lincoln Humanities/Communications Magnet, Lisbon Elementary, J. Leslie Patton Elementary, George Peabody Elementary, K. B. Polk Center for Academically Talented and Gifted, Joseph J. Rhoads Learning Center, School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary
Nonprofit Organizations: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Our Neighbors Closet, Oak Cliff Churches for Emergency Aid, Turner 12 Inc., Jonathan's Place, Family Gateway, Camp Summit, Margaret H. Cone Head Start, Dodd Education Inc., Bethlehem Foundation, Oak Cliff Boys and Girls Club, Nolan Estes Plaza Headstart and Promise House