Penny change

Pennies from Heaven has a new name in Thunder Bay.

The annual United Way fundraiser, which collected more than $19,000 for the charity a year ago to help kick-start the 2011 campaign, will now be known as Pennies for Change.

Incoming campaign chairwoman Carol Busch, the city’s manager of finance, says the decision was made to align the event with this year’s theme of change starts here.

“We’re really looking at making lasting, positive change in our communities, so we just made a very simple change from Pennies From Heaven to Pennies For Change because this will be a way of funding the change we’re hoping to make in our community,” Busch said Tuesday.

An 11-year volunteer with the local chapter of the United Way, Busch said she’s not worried about people being confused by the new name.

“Most folks are pretty familiar with the milk cartons that are distributed and the larger milk carton locations within Intercity Shopping Centre and the Real Canadian Superstore,” Busch said.

Pennies for Change will operate as it has for years, she added.

The milk cartons have already started being delivered throughout Thunder Bay, and residents are being asked to fill them with small change between now and April 30, when the United Way will collect them and start counting the 2012 collection.

Cartons can also be dropped off at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, McDonald’s, any Lakehead Public Elementary School and at most bank branches in the city.

Special events chairman Shawn Christie said the need in Thunder Bay for the services provided by the United Way continues to grow.

Getting a head start on the fundraising is paramount to reaching their goal each year and the Pennies for Change is an integral part of ensuring people get the help they need.

“As you know, our campaign starts in September and goes to the end of December. So these early special events are crucial to set the year up,” Christie said.

Busch said there are plenty of fun ways for the community to get involved, pointing out a penny war one company staged between management and administration staff, while a local school staged a variety of fun events to help out with the cause.

For more information, phone the United Way of Thunder Bay office at 623-6420.