Penny Drive

In 1947 Mrs. George R. Wallace, Jr., involved the children of Fitchburg in the fundraising for the planned Youth Library. The children from all the schools in the city organized and decided to raise one million pennies. Children did chores for a few cents, they made and sold earrings and other crafts, they spoke before civic groups and gave up chewing gum and other treats. In less than six months they raised $10,381.75. Three years later, on September 28, 1950, the Youth Library was dedicated. It was the first of its kind in the country and was written about in international magazines and journals for its concept and its architecture.

On Sept. 29, 2010, Mayor Lisa Wong kicked off a new "Penny Drive" to raise funds for materials and programming for the Youth Library. Along with other city officials, trustees and friends of the library the Mayor unveiled a red meter outside the Youth Library entrance on Newton Place. This meter will accept your change--one coin at a time. You can bring larger quantities into the library. Worker's Credit Union will kindly allow us to bring the loose coins you donate to them for counting.

Remember, "Pennies add up to dollars."