What The Penny Harvest Can Teach Adults

 

There are valuable lessons that The Penny Harvest can teach adults. 

The children who participated in this project ranged in age from 4 to 14.  The primary objective of Common Cents is to teach children who participate that they can contribute to their communities.

When I consider their over all goals and the fact that they collected 100 million pennies, I see lessons in their efforts that adults need to consider.

• No child was excluded from participating from the project.  Their backgrounds, their ethnic heritage, their age did  not give organizers grounds to exclude them.
• They worked as a team with an adult volunteer.  They did not wait on some national figure to step up and take charge.  The volunteer went to a training and proceeded from that point.
• The children participated in the decision making process.  They reviewed and selected the charity that their funds would be donated to.  In that finalization process they learned about conditions in their community, other people who have needs, and they also learned to share their ideas.
• The children also learned the value of using resources in their respective areas.  They did not go to the government to request help.  They approached family, friends, and members of their community.
• By requesting a donation that consisted of pennies, they were able to learn that each little amount eventually will add up to a major sum.  That request of pennies also allowed members of the community to make a contribution.  Often there are people who would like to contribute to a cause or a charity but due to the requested amount they cannot.  This campaign promoted inclusion instead of exclusion.

How many times have we seen needs in our community that have been left untouched?  We often sit back and wait on a leader outside of our community to step up and take charge.  Or we believe that there is not enough funds inside of our community to utilize.  We will wait to see if the government is going to respond in a proper manner.  Often without considering that we have the talent, resources and power to work on making a change.

The next time there is a negative condition or one that just needs attention, consider the children of NYC and their accomplishment.  Then get up and get busy!