Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Have you hoarded old pennies and other coins? Don't know what to do with them now?

The Lions will be happy to put them to use! For the past two years Lions Clubs across New Zealand have collected more than 12 tonnes of old money and foreign currency to help the Heads Up for Kids campaign.

Education programmes such as Spirit of Adventure, Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre and Outward Bound have benefited and last month 10 students were awarded Heads Up for Kids scholarships after being nominated by their teachers and peers for their positive attitudes towards their school environment and community. 

Simon Hayes, Queenstown Lion and Heads Up for Kids founder believes that youth are our most precious asset and we need to support them. 
 
 “We’re delighted with the success of Heads Up for Kids. The beauty of this project, in tight economic times, is that it isn’t taking real money out of anyone’s pockets. It’s overwhelming how many people have dug out their old NZ money and cash from overseas trips to help us in supporting New Zealand youth. “

Lions Clubs have collected, sorted and counted more than $320,000 in unwanted currency since the campaign launched began.  

It’s an excellent way of recycling too. Alan Boaden, Head of Currency at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, says: “old coins returned to the Reserve Bank are sold for scrap. It is better for the country to sell the copper and nickel in old coins than have them sitting idle in peoples’ homes.”

With the help of Resene paints and New World supermarkets, the money has been collected and the hefty donations transported by Fastway Couriers to various destinations, such as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, where it is redeemed for legal tender.

Old money and foreign currency can be taken to any Resene Colorshop or retailer, participating New World stores in Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Taranaki, and Hawkes Bay, or call 0800 Old Money for a Lions Club member to collect.

Here's wee tip as you're sorting out your old currency, look out for the 1956 penny that features Queen without a shoulder strap [only 1956 though - the earlier "strapless" coins are common] and the NZ 1935 threepence, which is the scarcest date in the series.  

Happy fossicking and it's great to know you're helping young Kiwis, as you clear out all those unwanted coins.