To support afterschool programs across the country, including the local Farmington Family YMCA, JC Penney launched a nationwide philanthropic campaign that invites customers to turn small change into “pennies from heaven” by rounding up their purchases and donating the difference to local organizations.

“With budget cuts in education, there’s never been a more important time to support afterschool programs as a valuable community resource that helps to bridge the education gap,” said Laura Perlowski, Executive Director. “As local families prepare for the Back-to-School season, we hope they will keep our mission in mind so that the social and academic learning opportunities we provide after school will continue to be available to Farmington area students.”

The Farmington Family YMCA serves more than 1,000 students each year by providing children and teens with a safe and nurturing environment around caring adult role models. Combining play with academics, the Y’s afterschool program promotes creativity, a love for learning, social and emotional development, and character building. The nation’s Ys are a leading resource for parents looking for educational, meaningful and fun activities outside the classroom.

The Farmington Family YMCA is one of 1,100 afterschool organizations matched with a local JC Penney store that will benefit from the proceeds raised during the Pennies from Heaven campaign, July 31 through Aug. 27.

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