VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/29/12)—Through The Penny Project—begun regionally in 2007 by the children of First Baptist Church of New London, N.H., and launched nationally in 2009 by American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS)—American Baptists have collected more than 7 million pennies to support programs aimed at improving the lives of children living in poverty today.

The milestone marks the halfway point to the ultimate goal of 14 million pennies, which, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty and the U.S. Census Bureau, represents the number of children living in poverty in the United States and Puerto Rico in 2008.

More than 225 organizations—many of them American Baptist-related youth groups—have joined the effort to collect pennies and other coins to help children in poverty.

Recently, the children of New Creation Baptist Church, Wheaton, Md., were honored with a proclamation by Maryland’s Montgomery County Council for donating more than 300,000 pennies to two charities in their area. Their penny collection had been stolen when it reached 40,000, but they began collecting again and surpassed the original amount. To view a video from the proclamation ceremony, visit www.youtube.com and search “The Penny Project.”

For other Penny Project stories, read the “Change for Children: Seeking God’s Kingdom Through The Penny Project” (Volume 1, 2011) issue of The Christian Citizen magazine or visit ABHMS’ home page at www.abhms.org and click on “The Penny Project.”

The Penny Project’s final goal remains 7 million pennies away. To join the national effort, please register today by visiting ABHMS’ home page at www.abhms.org and clicking on “The Penny Project.”

ABHMS—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA)—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.