From Oct. 12-25, shoppers at the jcpenney store at Twelve Oaks Mall are invited to turn small change into “pennies from heaven” by rounding up their purchases and donating the difference to a local afterschool program.

The Farmington Family YMCA, a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is one of 1,100 afterschool organizations from across the country matched with a local jcpenney store that will benefit from the proceeds raised during the pennies from heaven campaign.

“At the Y, we believe young people deserve to reach their full potential and we are committed to providing quality, affordable afterschool programs where kids can discover who they are and what they can achieve,” Laura Perlowski, Executive Director, said. “We hope the community will keep our commitment to youth in mind, so that the positive learning environments we provide after school will continue to be available to Farmington/Farmington Hills students.”

The Farmington Family YMCA’s afterschool program serves more than 900 students each year, providing a safe and nurturing environment where youth develop social and critical thinking skills, engage in physical activity, and achieve academic success in school to reach their full potential. Children receive homework assistance, play board games, and enjoy outdoor time all while under the watch of highly skilled YMCA staff.

“For more than a decade, jcpenney has been deeply committed to helping kids spread their wings by making it possible for more students to participate in life-enriching afterschool programs,” said John Rimkus, store manager for jcpenney. “When we leverage the power of a penny to create opportunities for learning, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our future leaders.”

For more information related to the pennies from heaven initiative, visit jcpenneyafterschool.org.