In The NewsPenny Power Prevails In Anti-drug Campaign
Originally printed in The Westerly Sun
Monday, March 9, 2009WESTERLY - After the last coin was counted from the Penny Wars jars placed across town in schools and businesses, teen members of the Westerly Substance Abuse Task Force were able to present a check for $1,523.93 to task force coordinator Mary Lou Serra.
"This is the third year for the Penny Wars. It's a cool fundraiser for us and it gets the whole community involved," said youth task force co-presidents Franklin Patton and Michael Genese, both 14-year-old Westerly High School freshmen.
"These kids are really doing something great," Serra said. "Their Penny Wars project is a good way for us to keep our name and our message out in the community. Plus the coins and dollars people stuffed in those jars help us do our job, working to try to keep kids safe from the dangers of alcohol and drugs."
Penny Wars jars were placed in about 50 shops, businesses and organizations in Westerly and Pawcatuck, as well as in Westerly schools.
The youth task force is made up of scores of kids from sixth graders to high school seniors, all committed to getting the message out that, "not all kids are drinking or using drugs."
"Most kids are not using alcohol or drugs. That's the message. But there are plenty that are and we should all be concerned about that. These kids are," said Serra.
Well under way is the Westerly Substance Abuse Task Force's "Underage Drinking: Not A Minor Problem" campaign.
The effort seeks to educate the community on the dangers of teen drinking and driving, and the other serious consequences associated with underage drinking, including the connection between drinking and risky behavior.
The campaign is funded through U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.