Release count down: 5 days

Have you ever had a penny turn green over time? All of this rain got me thinking about the effects rain and water has on copper. If you are looking for a fun project to do on a rainy afternoon, go to www.chemistry.about.com and learn how to get dull or green pennies clean!

Share your penny story: pennies from heaven

It has been so fun to receive and read people's stories about pennies. Here is one submitted by Caroline Redmond for you to enjoy:

"I once heard that angels drop pennies from heaven, so whenever I see one on the sidewalk I know an angel is looking over me."

This is a great little memory. My mom actually has a similar story and knows that every time she sees a penny, her sister Jo is just checking in on her to say hello. Keep those stories coming!

Release count down-7 days

I can't believe that my book will be available in stores next week! With that, this week will prove to be busy, so here is a penny fact to start the week off right. 

Penny fact #5: In 1987, Disneyland introduced souvenir penny stretching machines. This started a rage of souvenir pressed pennies in thousands of tourist spots and helped pennies become collector's items. 

Do you have any fun stretched pennies? Let us know where and you will see it in an upcoming entry. powerofapenny@gmail.com 

Share your penny story: penny loafers

I am so excited to share the first of many more penny stories to come. Tory Freese wrote in:

"When I think of a penny I always think of my mom's penny loafers. When I was younger they were in style and she would wear them on special occasions. If I found a particularly shiny, good looking penny we would replace the old one in her shoe with the new."

It has been a rainy week here in Utah, but all is well. Do you have a story you'd like to share? E-mail me at powerofapenny@gmail.com.

Koins for Kenya

A big part of my book is the contribution of a portion of my sales to Koins for Kenya, a non profit organization that helps communities in Kenya. What does Koins for Kenya do, you may ask? Well, with little to no modern amenities, Koins for Kenya sends a team of volunteers to help build the community and all efforts are centered around education. After building a school in the community, the volunteers focus on teaching life skills in the areas of farming and education that will benefit the individuals long after the Koins for Kenya volunteers have left. Where many relief organization just supply food, Koins for Kenya follows the motto, "Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime." Started by Bret Van Leeuwen, this Utah-based organization is making a life-changing impact on many people's lives. 

Many people say pennies are worthless. However, this organization is the epitome of taking people's pocket change to make positive change in the world. This organization is a real-life example of the message of my book: never underestimate the power of a penny. 

To learn more about this organization, being a part of a project team, or how you can help, visit: www.koinsforkenya.com. You can also join the group, "Koins for Kenya" on Facebook and  you will be able to support the cause on Facebook soon. 

Penny fact #4

Fun fact #4: Prior to being made of ammunition shells in 1944, in 1943 at the Peak of WWII, pennies were made of zinc coated steel due to the high demand of copper for making bullet shells. 

Have a great weekend, and look for my post on Koins for Kenya on Monday that explains a little about the organization a portion of my proceeds will go to benefit. 

Learning as I go

I cannot believe another month has flown by and that my book will be available in just 22 days!  I have been mastering the art of Facebooking, a testament that you are never too old to learn new tricks, and trying to keep up with my boys and the horses. My books will be available on amazon.com as well and I am learning so much as I go throughout this process. 

There is so much to do and I am continuing to learn as I go, but now that the weather is warm, it has been great to spend lots of time outdoors with my family. We are headed to Lake Powell for the rest of the week!

To start your week off right, here is penny fact #3: From 1944-1946, did you know that some pennies were made from salvaged ammunition shells? This may have been the original start of the green movement!