On Assignment w/ CT

10 years ago a Dallas woman wanted to give students a way to learn about Leadership. Louise Gartner went to DISD and suggested they implement a program called "Common Cents".  She planted a seed that 10-years later had generated $374,000.00 for North Texas non-profits.  Thank you, Mrs. Gartner!

This year's "Common Cents" fund-raiser started today and runs until December 5th. Students Leaders from at least 45 DISD schools gathered today at Raul Quintanilla, Sr. Middle School for a kick-off pep rally.

I was asked to speak to the students & was Thrilled to do so.  The students are RoundTable members who will lead their schools in creative & fun fund-raising efforts. They'll work to raise pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters and yes even paper currency. Every cent counts!    They also have great communinty and business sponsors.     

After December 5th the RoundTable will evaluate various North Texas non-profits & then the great thing is that the Students Will Decide which non-profits will recieve a portion of the money they all raise this fall.

So many great things come out of "Common Cents". The students learn about Leadership, Teamwork , Philanthrophy & making North Texas a better place to live. This is a whole new generation of Hometowen Heroes & we will all be better for that.

The picture I've posted shows the Principal of Quintanilla...Rodney Cooksy with members of the school's ROTC. I'm holding one of the "Pennies from The Heart" pails that will be filled to the brim with Common Cents!