Common Cents Mission: Common Cents, creator of the Penny Harvest, nurtures a new generation of caring and capable young people between the ages of four and 24 by enabling them to strengthen their communities through philanthropy and service-learning.

Penny Harvest location: 

Join the Common Cents email list!
Donate to Common Cents and the Penny Harvest!
Tell A Friend about Common Cents and the Penny Harvest!

Capital Region of NY
Penny Harvest Field

Search the Common Cents and Penny Harvest web site  

What's New at Common Cents and the Penny Harvest

Capital Region 08/09 Penny Harvest registration is now open!

Instant Poll
Who do you think should be responsible for teaching our children to be good citizens?
Families
Schools
Religious institutions
Educational programs (like the Penny Harvest!)
All of the above

The Community Foundation for the Capital Region of New York
Together, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region and Common Cents administer the Penny Harvest in the Capital Region of New York.

Penny Harvest Capital Region of NY
Schools|Coaches|Grantees|Families|Students|About Us|
Home > Penny Harvest > Location > Capital Region of NY > Why Penny Harvest?
email this page | print this page

WHY PENNY HARVEST?
See What Local Principals are saying.  sign up today!

 There wasn't a day that went by when I wasn't stopped by a parent, grandparent or community member who had only great praise for the project.  The students were very excited that each could contribute something small, and, cumulatively, be a part of a giant project." - Jean Schultz, Principal, Ryder Elementary School

“Seldom does a program come along that has the ability to impact a school and community to the level that the Penny Harvest does.  Parents consistently tell me that the Penny Harvest is the most worthwhile event that takes place at our school all year!” - KC Gottschalk, Principal, Veeder Elementary School







IT'S...service-learning...Community Building...Character Education...Youth Philanthropy...Leadership


The Penny Harvest is a year-round service-learning program that engages students between the ages of four and 14 in community building, character education and leadership. The processes of philanthropy -- gathering pennies, grant-making, taking action -- introduces students to the power of giving and service, and in turn, students learn they can enact change in their communities.
 
  



   

  
 


  BENEFITS TO YOUR SCHOOL
   
  • Improves attendance
  • Increases academic effort
  • Sharpens communication and leadership skills
  • Enhances school community and culture
  • Increases self-worth
  • Improves ability to work with others
  • Increases parental involvement in the school
     
    Source: Teacher Survey, Dr. Chris Weiss, the Director of Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences, Columbia University
    •  

    Sign Up Now 

          WE PROVIDE YOU   
    • The Penny Harvest is FREE for your school.*
    • A Curriculum Guide, which includes academically-   integrated lessons, activities and hand-outs
    • A Penny Harvest Kit, including penny bags, penny sacks, family guides, leader pins, stickers and posters for every student in your school
    • Professional development for the Penny Harvest Coach in your school
    • Year-round administrative and logistical support
    * Support from our donors covers the full cost of running the program at your school (averaging $1,500 per school).  The children donate every penny to a charitable cause.
     
      
      JOIN
    • Sign Up
    • Appoint a charismatic, community-minded teacher or staff member to facilitate the program.
    • Start engaging you students in this exciting opportunity!
     
      
    PENNY HARVEST: IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF!

    SERVICE-LEARNING
    “Penny Harvest is a valuable service-learning initiative that teaches students that they can make a real difference in their community and plants the seed for a lifetime of activism”
    - Denise Katz, Teacher, New York, NY
     
    COMMUNITY BUILDING
    “Seldom does a program come along that has the ability to impact a school and community to the level that the Penny Harvest does. Parents consistently tell me that the Penny Harvest is the most worthwhile event that takes place at our school all year!”
    -KC Gottschalk, Principal, Albany, NY
       
    YOUTH PHILANTHROPY
    “We work with students who come from very needy families and yet they were excited to share and felt very good about giving back to their communities.”
    - Svetlana Mamedova, Teacher, Seattle, WA


       
    LEADERSHIP
    “The Penny Harvest experience enhances our students’ decision-making and leadership skills, while fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration”
    - Pat Lieberman, Assistant Principal, New York, NY
     
    CHARACTER BUILDING
    “This is learning! It’s about how to help others. This is just as important as reading and writing.”
    - Eric Nezowitz, former Principal, Staten Island, NY


    Click here for the PDF of our School Information Brochure.


    Sign Up for the Penny Harvest Today  

     
    Back to top
     

    Home | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Web Credits


    ©2009 Common Cents New York, Inc.
    Common Cents® and Penny Harvest® are trademarks of Common Cents New York, Inc.