As the new school year begins we are excited about the renewal of the Capital Region Penny Harvest in many of our local schools and districts. Our Penny Harvest provides opportunities for students to understand (and their parents to see) how they can make a difference in the lives of individuals within their schools and residents of our local communities through their philanthropy and service.

Through the Penny Harvest students learn that they can take action through service learning to apply what they learn in the class to help address and resolve real life educational, human and environmental needs and issues within their community. They understand the true meaning of giving back to their communities through their time, efforts and commitments to serve others. They develop deep caring connections to those in need, establish lifelong positive attitudes towards philanthropy and civic engagement and learn that their classroom, school and district are integral interactive parts of their communities' growth and development.

Community based organizations that benefit from the student's efforts appreciate students' involvement and support of their organizations' efforts and activities especially during these times of limited resources. Finally parents, teachers and administrators also see that the Penny Harvest reinforces many of the character education principles of trust, respect, caring, honesty and good citizenship that are being taught within their schools as part of their character education programs.  In summary — a penny earned is a penny saved — but a penny given becomes a penny of caring-especially through the Penny Harvest.

Thanks for your support of and involvement in this year's Capital Region Penny Harvest!

Sincerely,
Rose Hutcherson

Penny Harvest in the Capital Region, NY is administered by the National Education Leadership Institute and the Community Foundation for the Capital Region.