Saline County Prosperity Team: Penny Campaign goes directly to local residents in need

From left, Saline County Prosperity Team members Jean Harms, Cherry Merchant, Tadar Wazir, Cheryl Zimny, Lani Brite, Susan Hunter, Megan Cadwell, Meghan Hayworth, Mary Ann Piper and Josh King discuss the group's goals during their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17. (Geoff Rands/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Saline County Prosperity Team members discussed Missouri Valley Community Action Agency's Penny Campaign during their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17.

Instead of undertaking the Penny Campaign as a group effort, said MVCAA Career Services Specialist Mary Ann Piper, MVCAA's counties will each hold a separate campaign.

She added that in 2009, Saline County brought in less than $1,000 through the Penny Campaign, which was less than several of the other counties involved.

But, said MVCAA Community Development Manager Cheryl Zimny, the funds allowed MVCAA to help citizens purchase eyeglasses and a refrigerator, among other things.

The idea of the campaign is to involve all the county's residents in donating one penny per day for the full year, which would amount to slightly more than $82,000 in that year if each of Saline County's approximately 22,500 residents participates.

The group renamed the fund into which the money donated to the Penny Campaign will go.

Formerly known as Pay it Forward, some members suggested that name led to confusion, as the Marshall High School graduating class of 2010 is also operating some activity under the same name. The new name will be the Community Aid Reacting to Emergencies Fund, or the CARE Fund.

Speaking about goal updates, MVCAA New Directions Community Organizer Cherry Merchant said MVCAA's Fatherhood Initiative, headed by Rick Arni of MVCAA, will serve the Prosperity Team's efforts to provide support to released offenders.

Prosperity Team Chairman Josh King suggested the team use the Poverty to Prosperity Summit as a time to examine progress on its goals.

Several members of the team were present for the 2009 summit, and during a breakout session, they set the goals the team now holds of providing support to returned veterans and released offenders, forming a community foundation and promoting good mental health in schools.

The 2010 Poverty to Prosperity Summit, titled Searching for the Road to Recovery, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Martin Community Center. Its workshops will focus on topics of economic development, and will include sessions titled "Definitions, Principles and Strategies of Economic Development;" "Organizing and Funding Economic Development;" "Business Retention and Expansion;" "The Role of Incentives in Economic Development;" and more.

The cost to attend the summit is $35 per person, which can be paid to MVCAA in advance or at the door. For complete details, call 660-886-7476.

Members reported no activity in recruitment for Missourians to End Poverty.

The issue of electing new executive officers for the Prosperity Team was tabled.

Members mentioned the Show Me "E" Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative Showcase, which will be held Saturday, March 27, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Education sessions focusing on marketing, the importance of a business plan and communication with customers and customer service will take place between 9 and 11:45 a.m.

A keynote speaker will address those present during lunch.

The afternoon will be filled with a trade show, which will include demonstrations, promotions and sales.

The cost for the event is $20 for classes and lunch or $40 for lunch, classes and booth space during the trade show.

Those interested can contact Drew Weisberg at 660-463-7934 for more information.

The team's next meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at MVCAA's main office, 1415 S. Odell Ave.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net