Media Contact: Gwen Oldham at SF Chamber, 415-352-8839 or goldham@SFChamber.com

THE COIN RUSH! LAUNCHES TO RAISE NEEDED MONEY FOR SAN FRANCISCO AND SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOLS

Pennies, Nickels, Dimes and Other Coins will Benefit Local Schools this "Back to School" Season through a Unique, New Community Partnership

SAN FRANCISCO - A community partnership of civic, education, business and banking leaders today launched The Coin Rush!: Coins for Kids Partnership to raise money for local schools. The Coin Rush! is a grassroots movement collecting coins - lots and lots of them - to benefit public schools in San Francisco and South San Francisco this "Back to School" season, September 13 - 30, 2010.

"Small change can make a big difference for our schools during these difficult economic times," said Robert Mendelsohn, former San Francisco Supervisor and Assistant Secretary of the Interior. "We are asking everyone to join The Coin Rush! by donating your pennies, nickels, dimes and other coins to our schools. These days, small change doesn't buy much. But if we put them together, our coins can support the education of our kids and America's future."

The public can put their loose change to work by bringing coins to any participating San Francisco or South San Francisco public school, or participating Walgreens drug store. Coin Rush! collection receptacles will be available in school offices, classrooms and Walgreens throughout San Francisco and South San Francisco from September 13 to 30, 2010. Schools will keep 100 percent of money collected at their school sites, and 90 percent of the money raised at Walgreens.

"The Coin Rush! is a great way for people to contribute whatever they can directly to our schools," said San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Superintendent Carlos Garcia. "State budget cuts have left our schools with less resources at a time when we need more to assure our students have 21st century learning environments. Money raised through The Coin Rush! will be a welcome gift to participating schools."

According to the United States Mint, there are 8 billion pennies circulating and 'lost' in the Bay Area. By these estimates, there are 80 million dollars in pennies alone that could be put to good use. -- more -- The Coin Rush! Coins for Kids Partnership Press Release, Page 2 of 2 "If you do the math, we can see that collecting pennies, nickels, and dimes can add up to a significant amount for our schools," said San Francisco Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Steve Falk. "We urge businesses to join parents and the community in participating in The Coin Rush and making a difference for our schools."

The Coin Rush! is made possible by partners including: The Coro Center for Civic Leadership; San Francisco Unified School District; South San Francisco Unified School District; San Francisco Chamber of Commerce; South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce; First National Bank of Northern California; Walgreen Drug Stores; and Dunbar Armored Services.

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