YMCA asks you to donate 'Pennies from Heaven' to Aug. 27 at JCPenney

To support afterschool programs across the country, JCPenney launched a nationwide philanthropic campaign that invites customers to turn small change into “pennies from heaven” by rounding up their purchases and donating the difference to local organizations, including the Lake County Family YMCA.

Donations made through Aug. 27 to pennies from heaven will provide children in need with access to life-enriching afterschool programs at the Y.

“With budget cuts in education, there's never been a more important time to support afterschool programs as a valuable community resource that helps to bridge the education gap,” said Lake County Family YMCA President & CEO Lynda Chott. “As local families prepare for the back-to-school season, we hope they will keep our mission in mind so that the social and academic learning opportunities we provide after school will continue to be available to Lake County children.”

National research shows that one out of four students in the U.S. is on his or her own between 3 to 6 p.m. each day. The Lake County Family YMCAs in Vernon Hills and Waukegan serve more than 70 families each year in afterschool programs by providing children and teens with a safe and nurturing environment around caring adult role models.

The Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills is one of 1,100 afterschool organizations matched with a local JCPenney store that will benefit from the proceeds during the pennies from heaven campaign.

“JCPenney has been committed to helping kids participate in life-enriching afterschool programs,” JCPenney Westfield Shopping Town Store Manager Tim Clark said. “When we leverage the power of a penny to create opportunities for learning, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our future leaders.”

For more information, visit www.jcp.com/pennies.

The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. It was founded in 1892 and is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.