JCPenney shoppers invited to donate ‘pennies from heaven’ for the Mahaska County YMCA
Oskaloosa YMCA
Fundraising Event Collects Change Benefitting Oskaloosa Youth in Afterschool Programs
Oskaloosa – From Nov. 30 through Dec. 12, shoppers at the JCPenney in the Penn Central Mall are invited to turn small change into “pennies from heaven” by rounding up their holiday purchases and donating the difference to the Mahaska County YMCA. The Mahaska County YMCA is one of 1,100 after school organizations from across the country matched with a local jcpenney store that will benefit from the entire proceeds raised during the pennies from heaven campaign.
“It takes the support of our entire community to make it possible for more kids to be involved in a positive learning environment after school,” said Debbie Cummings, YMCA Educare Director. “As customers shop JCPenney this holiday season, we hope they will keep this mission in mind so that the social and academic learning opportunities we provide after school will continue to be available to Oskaloosa students.”
National research shows that one out of four students in the U.S. is on their own between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day.* The after school program offered at Mahaska County YMCA is experiencing an increase in enrollment in the past several years. This year 45 school agers are being served. The Y is helping them develop social skills and providing opportunities to be physically active and achieve academic success in school. The program is held at the Oskaloosa Elementary School except on on-school days and early out days when they take advantage of the indoor pool at the Y.
“For more than a decade, JCPenney has been deeply committed to helping kids spread their wings by making it possible for more students to participate in life-enriching afterschool programs,” said Brandon Arndt, store manager for jcpenney. “When we leverage the power of a penny to create opportunities for learning, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our future leaders.”
For more information related to the pennies from heaven initiative, visit jcpenneyafterschool.org. For after school care scholarship applications, please contact the Mahaska County YMCA at 641.673.8411. A limited number of scholarships are available.
