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Habitat teaches children the value of a penny
Published October 28, 2009
“When so many people are struggling to make ends meet, we need everyone pulling together to solve our nation’s problems and to lift up our fellow Americans.”
— Michelle Obama in an essay published in USA Today
It was when my children began kindergarten that I changed my outlook on the monetary value of the penny. Before then, it was a mental note that poor Abe was relegated to the lowest denomination of coin, or an occasional thought of the old adage: “Find a penny, pick it up and all the day you’ll have good luck.”
But that changed the moment my children came home, screaming with excitement, “I need pennies!”
My children had a different view of the low-value coin. For them, it was worth more than the one-hundredth of a dollar face value.
And it all had to do with a idea from Ravi Singhania that was carried out by Mary Ruth Rhodenbaugh and other volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Southern Brazoria County. So that I don’t get in trouble for leaving out names or titles, I will say that what I know for sure is my children learned the true value of the penny when a unknown lady stepped into their classroom and shared how the lesser coin could be the greatest gift.
Mary Ruth said our pennies can help build homes, and that we need to get pennies. Prior to meeting their new-found superstar, I was the hero and the dollar was king — then came Mary Ruth and the Habitat team.
Collecting the copper currency introduces children to volunteerism and teaches them about personal responsibility for making a difference in their communities. Abe just might get the last laugh.
Join in on the 11th annual Walk for Habitat. Hundreds of students from surrounding schools will gather Nov. 7 at MacLean Park in Lake Jackson. Students from public elementaries and home schools alike will gear up for the walk that Saturday morning. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. So grab your tennis shoes and don’t forget your jar of pennies.
Food pantry donations: Stephanie Mack and the Brazosport Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are on the move to help fill the shelves for the Brazosport Cares and Angleton food pantries. Your help is needed. Drop off canned goods at the Sylvan Learning Center, 439 This Way in Lake Jackson.
The Pink and Green Christmas Party is Dec. 4 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Pearland. Tickets are $50 and proceeds go to the pantries. Entertainment will include live music by The Next Level Band.
For information, Call Stephanie 281-468-7327
Bobbie Greer is a community columnist for The Facts. Contact her at 979-265-7411, or e-mail bobbie.greer(at)thefacts.com.
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