Jill Boomer, Editor

The Southwestern Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross' Jersey County Service Center is once again partnering with the local elementary schools to raise funds to benefit the local Red Cross.

March is officially "American Red Cross Month" and the Jersey County Service Center is celebrating 93 years of providing Red Cross programs and services to local communities within the county.

The Jersey County Service Center in Jerseyville is conducting its annual Penny Drive competition in the elementary school classrooms to raise funds in support of disaster relief services delivered specifically in Jersey County.

"This year marks our eighth year for our Penny Drive held every March, " Chris Maness, board member with the chapter said, "we are so pleased that the schools, students and parents help us each year to raise funds for families displaced from their homes due to single family fires."

The annual Penny Drive is in its eighth year and in the previous seven years has raised exactly $33,823.60. Last year the students collected $6,760.64 in pennies.  This year the drive has a goal to raise $7,000 and the proceeds from the drive will be applied to the service center's budget for delivery of local disaster relief services.

The Jersey County Service Center staff has responded to five house fires within the county with seven people impacted in Delhi,  two people in Elsah, 12 people in Jerseyville, three people in Kane for a total of 22 people helped.

Services provided to each family includes three nights emergency lodging, food, clothing, replacement of prescription medications, eyeglasses or more for the family depending on individual circumstances and needs. Red Cross also makes referrals to Salvation Army and other agencies within the county to help the family access other services available that they may not be aware of.

Elementary students in CUSD 100, Holy Ghost, St. Francis, Sonshine Kids Daycare and Gospel Assembly are continuing to participate, with The Little Scholars preschool, joining in on the drive for the first time this year.

Also helping support the penny drive is First Bank who helps the Service c enter convert the pennies collected into checks.

In addition to collecting pennies in the schools the Red Cross is also accepting donations in canisters placed in downtown businesses. Willow Rose Nursing Home will be sponsoring a special dress down day where employees will make a donation benefiting the Red Cross, in return for wearing jeans to work on Fridays.

Anyone wishing to raise funds during the month of March to benefit local disaster relief services can call the Service Center at 618-498-1809 or donations in support of the local Service Center can be sent anytime to 301 A West Exchange, Jerseyville, IL 62052.