But a number of downtown businesses are joining together with the Downtown Truro Partnership to help collect those copper coins as the penny makes its way into retirement.
“We thought it would be fun to have something to celebrate the penny,” said Grace Murray, promotions and marketing co-ordinator for the Downtown Truro Partnership. “Because the penny is going into history, we thought about connecting with the local museum. They’re always doing fundraisers, so it seemed to be logical to connect with the Colchester Historeum.”
Consumers are invited to gather their pennies and bring them to participating downtown businesses. Murray is recommending the pennies already be rolled, but it’s up to the participating businesses as to whether or not they want to accept them unrolled.
“I would suggest that people call the business beforehand to see if they’ll accept the pennies unrolled,” Murray said.
For every $5 worth of pennies taken to a business at one time up until the end of March, consumers can enter to win one of six $50 downtown shopping certificates, courtesy of the Downtown Truro Partnership.
All the pennies will go to the Historeum.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for a person to participate in something and at the same time, help the community by the way of the Historeum,” said Mike Lesser, owner of Etcetera, one of the participating businesses.
“We all have pennies taking up space anyway in our houses, so if we can help out the Historeum at the same time, why not?”
Lesser said the incentive of winning a certificate may help some people that are on the fence about donating their pennies.
“Everyone likes to get something out of doing something,” he said. “You’re helping the museum, which seems to have a general need of funds.”
Participating businesses other than Etcetera include Above & Beyond Home Décor, Alderberry Village Craft Co-op, Carsand Mosher Photographic, Clay Café, Elegant Steps, Leslie’s Finery, MacQuarries Pharmasave, Sandy’s Fashions for Men, the Split Crow and Thrown Together Pottery.
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