Grandview's Fred E. Hayes Post 57 of The American Legion has announced the top donors for the annual Penny-a-Day Campaign conducted in February
The campaign just completed the sixth year seeking pennies during a month-long effort. Funds collected support local youth programs as well as a number of local and national charity efforts. “Our program is totally unique in Legion circles,” said Post Commander Robert Gates. “No one else concentrates on pennies or loose change for fund-raising other than piggy banks for National’s Child Welfare Foundation, which we also do among our members,” he added.
The top community donor this year is Kenyon Zero Storage of Grandview. “In addition to hosting a donation bucket for the first time this year, they gave us a generous corporate donation,” Gates said.
The Grandview Fire Department was the top City of Grandview donor.
For the sixth straight year, McClure Elementary School was the top donor among Grandview Schools. “We are so proud of them and their generous spirit,” said Post Adjutant Jim Davidson. “When everything is added up, they are actually the top donor for the community. They are simply amazing.”
The top restaurant donor was Eli and Kathy’s Family Restaurant. Other restaurant donors were the 10-4 Café, New Hong Kong Restaurant and Molcajetes Family Mexican Restaurant.
Donations to the Penny-a-Day Campaign are not used for Post operations. They provide youth recognition programs in the Grandview Schools, help provide Boys State and Girls State scholarships, local veteran and military outreach as well as national charities.
The national programs supported include Operation Comfort Warriors, National Emergency Fund, Child Welfare Foundation, Legacy Scholarship Fund, Endowment Fund (which supports Temporary Financial Assistance), Citizen’s Flag Alliance, Soldier’s Wish, American Legion Charities and the Commander’s Charity Fund. “We also fund the Child Welfare Foundation with a piggy bank we circulate at each meeting,” said Gates. “It’s amazing how much money accumulates at the end of the year.” These donations go to a number of children-based charities and medical research efforts.
“We are so thankful to the Lower Valley Community for their support of this effort,” said Gates. “The Grandview name is well-known for this effort.”
