We Create Change Penny Drop-Off Week

The We Create Change penny drive was launched last year to support clean water projects around the world. It is an initiative of Free the Children, the presenters of We Day which encourages school kids to get involved in their community, and also help their community assist others.

4 water jugs filled with pennies equals $500. That’s enough to provide clean water to 20 people for life.

Why Water? Every day, women around the world spend a cumulative total of 200 million hours collecting water for their families. 80 percent of illnesses in developing countries are linked to poor water and sanitation. This year, in recognition of the global water crisis and the effect that events like last year’s East African drought have on developing countries, Free The Children has set a goal of providing 100,000 people with clean water for life. Free The Children’s We Create Change campaign, made possible by RBC, is one of Canada’s largest penny drives. Coinciding with the penny going out of circulation, we are challenging Canadians to donate their pennies to an important cause: water. Officially launched in 2012, this campaign shows that pennies can create a lot of change.

In February, as the Royal Canadian Mint official begins to phase out the penny, the We Create Change program is hosting Penny Drop-Off Week across the country. From Monday, February 4th to Saturday, February 9th, join Free The Children and RBC in giving the penny a special send-off. During this week, Canadians are invited to bring in their pennies (in any amount, in any kind of container) to any RBC bank branch across the country.

Teachers, parents, and children can sign up to get a penny collection bag for their school and download posters and other resources. Follow Free the Children on Facebook and Twitter for more information about this campaign and many others.