Start Early to Build Wealth
Friday, April 11th, 2008America Saves provided a unique opportunity for the financial education group to develop a learning event. Financial education group members put on a workshop for kindergartners and their parents. Articles appeared in the paper and flyers went home from school. The workshop features activities for the kids: making “piggy banks”, counting money, and playing games. Parents attended their own session where they learned about saving instruments, simple tricks for saving, and how to protect their child’s identity. Parents were encouraged to set up a saving account for their child or add to an existing one. Each family that meets their saving goal before the 2008-09 school year starts will receive a $50 saving bond.
“I think the project was a great learning experience for both kids and parents. The kids enjoyed experience and the parents appreciated the project. I hope that we can continue to have interest in this project and continue it well into the future” –Carol Baudler, committee member/ project organizer.
This will be a project that will benefit our community in more than one way. Of course it will help families learn about money management, but it will also help children to start their own “nest egg” for the future. The project was also a great way for families to spend time together to learn new things.
The financial education committee worked with Adair County Extension to apply for an America Saves grant and received $500 to assist with this carry-out of this effort. The reaction from participants were so positive the group is considering offering to another age group.