It’s been known as the Attorney General of New York’s pet report at the end of each year that paints a generally not-so-pretty picture of the tele-fundraising industry. But this year, I’m happy to say, no "pennies" reports, so far.

But there is a new Pennies for Charity report out of Colorado. According to our friends at Copilevitz & Canter, Fifth grade classes in a number of Denver grade schools participated in a program called "Penny Harvest." The children collected pennies throughout December to be given to local charitable organizations supporting those in need. The program has been hailed as innovative and one that is teaching children community concern. Approximately two million pennies were collected by the children.

Ironically, Silda Wall Spitzer, wife of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who made the Pennies for Charity report legendary in our industry when he was Attorney General, joined hundreds of New York public school children in December to unveil a mass of $1 million in pennies collected for charity. Entitled the Penny Harvest Field the display was showcased at Rockefeller Center.

Jill Murphy, Senior Manager, Member Services, Nonprofit Federation