School program promotes saving money

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
PHIL CAMPBELL- The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America organization (FCCLA) at Phil Campbell High School hosted a “Piggy Bank” parade and pageant Tuesday to teach students the meaning of saving money.
Grades 7-12 participated in the event, bringing the total to 110 students combined involved in the parade and pageant.
Students who were involved in the pageant and parade were asked to construct a “piggy bank” out of recycled materials. All the students were creative using Kentucky Fried Chicken buckets, balloon shavings, two liter bottles, PVC pipe and even socks to create their banks. Yaneliz Fernandez and Marcus Lyons were able to come away with first place finishes and received $25 from Community Spirit Bank and $25 from FCCLA.
Fernandez’s “piggy bank” used balloon shavings, which were strategically placed to make it look fuzzy. Lyons constructed his bank by using PVC pipes, which could hold coins equaling up to $152.
Phil Campbell High School FCCLA Family and Consumer Sciences instructor Amy Gunderman said the projects were counted as a Financial Fitness grade and a Recycle grade. She said everyone that participated showed some very creative skills.
The Alabama cooperative extension system sponsored the project for their “America Saves” month and FCCLA hosted the event for their “Financial Fitness” week. Both programs were initiated to teach students to spend money wisely and not to spend it all in one place.
Regional extension agent and Consumer Science personal financial manager for the Alabama cooperative extension system Lelia Wissert said programs like these teach students how to start saving early.
Gunderman said students need to learn the value of money and should see they can get more for less.
National FCCLA week runs from Feb. 8-12. Earlier this month, the Franklin County Commission declared Feb. 21-28, 2010 as Alabama Saves Week. The commission urges families to start or increase an emergency fund, increase 401K contributions or take another positive, wealth-building action during this week.