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Black Press launches annual Pennies for Presents campaign

This year newspaper staff and community will help five Greater Victoria charities

Pennies for PresentsA penny is an impressive sight to behold when thousands of them fill bucket after bucket.

Also impressive is the relief loose change brings to organizations in the Capital Region that help children, youth and families through life’s challenges.

For 15 years that has been at the heart of Black Press’ annual Pennies for Presents fundraiser, which launches today (Nov. 4) and continues until Christmas.

“Every penny really does count because every penny is going to a charity that needs it,” said Kyle Slavin, a Black Press reporter and chair of the 2011 Pennies for Presents campaign committee.

About $618,000 has been raised since the campaign’s inception.

Last year, more than $12,000 was generated by businesses, schoolchildren and readers of the Victoria News, Saanich News, Oak Bay News and Goldstream News Gazette.

This year, five organizations have been selected to benefit from the penny drive, including the Mary Manning Centre, Threshold Housing Society, Victoria READ Society, the Young Parents Support Network and suicide prevention group, NEED2.

“Pennies for Presents is a great charity. We do this every year and our staff have fun doing it,” said Black Press editorial director Kevin Laird. “It’s just as important to us as it is to our readers.”

How you can help

Cash donations can be dropped off at Black Press head office, 818 Broughton St. and at the Goldstream News Gazette, 117-777 Goldstream Ave. in Langford.

For a list of businesses that are accepting donations, watch for notices in the Victoria News, Saanich News, Oak Bay News, Goldstream News Gazette and Victoria News Daily.

Schools interested in participating can contact call 250-381-3633 ext. 269 or email kslavin@saanichnews.com.