News From Local Campaigns
April 6, 2012
By Katie Bryan, America Saves communications manager
This story is part of the Spring 2012 American Saver Newsletter
Across the country, campaigns participated in America Saves Week 2012 (February 19-26) in a variety of ways:
Charlotte Saves hosted a Student Forum at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte with Students in Free Enterprise, featuring keynoter Brenda Williams, director of financial literacy at the State Treasurer's Office. In addition, the 8th Annual Charlotte Saves Partner Luncheon launched the year-long campaign, “Be an Everyday Superhero, Save Automatically!”
Greater Cincinnati Saves celebrated its first widespread America Saves Week with a proclamation from Mayor Mark Mallory. The new coalition of organizations supporting America Saves created a public calendar of saving workshops and financial opportunities and sent out social media messages during the Week. The campaign also began promoting its new website, www.GreaterCincinnatiSaves.org.
Partnering with colleges and universities in the Greater Philadelphia area to promote goal setting and savings, Philadelphia Saves reached out to students by working with faculty to present savings and debt reduction tips in classroom settings, tabling in high-traffic areas to provide savings resources, and at some campuses, partnering with financial institutions that offer low cost savings accounts. All participants were encouraged to sign up as Savers.
In New Jersey, the “Somerset Saves Employment and Savings Seminar” featured a workshop by the Financial Planning Association of New Jersey that gave attendees the tools to find money even in the tightest budgets in order to save for emergencies today and security in the future. The seminar also provided income tax assistance, financial coach sessions, free credit reports and counseling, and meetings with bank representatives about the benefits of low-cost savings plans. New Jersey Saves participated as a volunteer exhibitor and partner.
Texas Saves worked with organizations statewide to promote savings and financial action. Partners included Foundation Communities, which promoted savings bonds at all Austin VITA sites; Coastal Community and Teachers Credit Union in Corpus Christie, which hosted a savings challenge for high school students; Covenant Community Capital/Houston Saves, which hosted a financial fitness fair; and YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas, which urged participation in its financial education and tax credit education classes, and financial coaching urged clients to sign up for Texas Saves.
Virginia Saves partnered with the Virginia CASH coalition, IRS, and local VITA sites to exhibit and distribute materials throughout the state. The Southeast Rural Assistance Project also distributed Saves information to all customers. In addition, the first ever Governor’s Proclamation for Virginia Saves Week was issued in a news release by that office, and $100 drawings were offered as incentives to sign up to become a Virginia Saver. Virginia Saves also collaborated with Military Saves at an event in Chesapeake during the Week.
To encourage people to deposit their change at a participating financial institution, West Virginia Saves sponsored Roll Your Change. Savers who made deposits could enter a drawing to win a $500 savings bond. Branches of participating financial institutions also competed against one another to sign up the most new Savers. The winning branch won a catered lunch.
In partnership with the Housing Authority City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Saves held a “Road to Success Expo” showcasing financial awareness resources available throughout the city. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced the city proclamation of America Saves Week, and Wisconsin State Treasurer Kurt Schuller announced a state proclamation from the Governor recognizing the Week.