Empower your pennies
Herbert Johnson, Elmer Rudis and Fran Urban know the value of a penny.
All three remember working as young children to earn the copper-colored coins --- redeeming bottles for deposits or selling magazines --- that they would then get to spend on candy, pinball games or other treats.
Now they and other residents of Basilica Place, a seniors' residence run by Catholic Charities,
are collecting pennies to donate to the Fuel Fund of Maryland, which offers financial assistance to people struggling to pay their home heating and utility bills. So far they've got nearly 2,500, or nearly $250$25. Check out my story about their efforts here.
More families have requested help this year, as the price of gas and oil have skyrocketed and caused prices for everything to go up. So every little bit --- even in one-cent increments --- is appreciated, said Mary Ellen Vanni, the fuel fund's executive director.
These days the humble penny doesn't get much respect. But even if you don't have the patience to pick up pennies off the curb like Elmer Rudis, you can still send your spare change to the fund to help struggling Marylanders.
Sign up for the Penny Round-Up and let BG&E round up your bill to the next dollar, donating the remainder to the Fuel Fund. Here are two ways to do it:
1. Fill out the form here or
2. Call 1-800-685-0123 or 410-685-0123. Press "2" for "billing information", then "7" for "assistance for any other billing matter" to reach a live customer service representative who can register you for the program.
You could also drop your pennies off at Basilica Place --- the seniors there will certainly accept them!
To request assistance from the Fuel Fund, call 410.821.3022 for information about local agencies in your area.
(photo: Andre Chung/Baltimore Sun)
Comments
Let's hope BGE isn't using this math formula when they calculate our utility bills! Last time I checked, there were 100 pennies in $1. So, 2,500 divided by 100 = $25. Quite a bit less than $250.
Thanks for pointing out my calculation error. Clearly moving decimal places is not my strong suit. -- lfk
Posted by: rkolberg | March 31, 2008 9:29 AM
I wanted to thank you for your article about seniors hunting coins to help others in today's Sun. I had to tell you that it inspired me to finally pour out and count all the coins I've collected over the past several years while engaging in my daily 3 1/2 mile walk through Cedarcroft and Rogers Forge. I decided to donate the money to the Basilica Seniors to help with their collection for the fuel fund. I was surprised by the number of quarters I found, 17 equaling $4.25. There were also 25 dimes at $2.50; 17 nickels at .85 cents; and 130 pennies at $1.30. The grand total of $9.90, nearly $10 isn't a bad collection for a nearly 75 year old lady!
Posted by: Mrs. Ajax Eastman | March 31, 2008 1:20 PM