The Value of a Penny

The other night my parents were watching a show about the U.S. mint and the value of our money. A test was done to show the disregard people have for pennies. On a busy sidewalk in New York they scattered a great number of pennies on the ground and waited to see who would pick them up. One. One person picked up one penny.

When my family was in the process of an adoption we had a change jar sitting out on our kitchen counter. We all put our change in there. I got great delight when I would find a penny in the parking lot. I would always smile and think, a penny for Lindsey, or a penny for Joseph, or a penny for Alexis and Abby, or a penny for John.  That little penny, worthless in most people’s eyes was a tiny treasure that in a small way connected me just a little bit more to my special sibling.

Collecting change is a great way to help orphans and adoption. Even children can do it! My seven year old sister loves to save some of her money to give to Show Hope and asks other to give their change to them too.

Every little bit counts. When we stop to pick up a penny, we don’t just put value on that little piece of money, we put value on that little orphan child, who will forever be changed, by our change. 

The Change Challenge!

I would like to lay before us a fun challenge and I would love to have you join with me if the Lord would so lead you! (We all give where He has led us to and I would not want to steal you from where He has led you to give.) But for those of you who have been looking for more ways to help orphans…

Here’s the plan:

From now until August 1^st we give all the change we find or collect to helping orphans and adoption. Now it doesn’t have to be given to Show Hope, whatever orphan or adoption organization the Lord should put on your heart. Or maybe it’s an adoptive family at your church, maybe it’s your family! That still counts! Make collecting change a family project. My siblings love giving change to Show Hope and we all love guessing how much change we have before we take it into the bank.

 Tally up your giving and at the end of July email me with your results. Then we can add up just how much change, our “change” made in the lives of orphans. 

We’d also like to hear from you! Send us pictures of you and your change jar. Or share with us how your family is already helping orphans! Whether it’s raising money, giving of your time and services or something else, we’d love to hear, see, and share new ideas with others on how they too can help orphans and adoption! To submit your stories and pictures, visit our "Contact Us" page.