Many people throw coupons away, but some seniors in DuBois keep all theirs and look for more, and it’s for a good cause — helping U.S. troops save money.
Their new goal for the “TroopOn” program is $1 million dollars worth of coupons. We have more on why they’re sending away boxes of expired coupons.
Their new goal for the “TroopOn” program is $1 million dollars worth of coupons. We have more on why they’re sending away boxes of expired coupons.
The senior center director says the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) center in Emporium was looking to begin the effort, and one senior here in DuBois has made it her mission.
“I come to the center mostly every day. I”m here by 7:00 in the morning to work on coupons,” says Bonnie Bloom.
Bloom says collecting coupons has turned into a busy enterprise at this senior center.
“Every day we have coupons. Sometimes we have to cut them. We always sort them usually. We sort them by food, non-food, baby, and pet,” says Bloom.
“Today, we just mailed $21,783 worth,” said Parkside Community Center executive director Kathleen Clement on Friday.
“I come to the center mostly every day. I”m here by 7:00 in the morning to work on coupons,” says Bonnie Bloom.
Bloom says collecting coupons has turned into a busy enterprise at this senior center.
“Every day we have coupons. Sometimes we have to cut them. We always sort them usually. We sort them by food, non-food, baby, and pet,” says Bloom.
“Today, we just mailed $21,783 worth,” said Parkside Community Center executive director Kathleen Clement on Friday.
Another volunteer says she’s asking neighbors and enjoys meeting folks she wouldn’t otherwise talk to.
“A lot of times they hand them to me, like last night, I went to bingo and two people handed me a bunch of coupons,” says Judy Dunlap.
“A lot of times they hand them to me, like last night, I went to bingo and two people handed me a bunch of coupons,” says Judy Dunlap.
Dunlap says she’s nearly blind but still is able to spread the word.
“A lot of people in here’s been giving them to her and she does a great thing for them,” says neighbor Patricia Patterson.
Clement says they can accept the coupons for up to three months after they’ve expired, and the troops can use them for up to six months after expiration.
“[We have] $491,000. We’re going for a million,” says Bloom.
“If we can’t use this one, we’ll bring it in. Somebody’ll use it for something good. We’re not using it so somebody might as well,” says Brad McGinnis, who brought coupons in on Friday.
“A lot of people in here’s been giving them to her and she does a great thing for them,” says neighbor Patricia Patterson.
Clement says they can accept the coupons for up to three months after they’ve expired, and the troops can use them for up to six months after expiration.
“[We have] $491,000. We’re going for a million,” says Bloom.
“If we can’t use this one, we’ll bring it in. Somebody’ll use it for something good. We’re not using it so somebody might as well,” says Brad McGinnis, who brought coupons in on Friday.
Folks at the center also asked the hospital and local schools to collect. There’s even been a contest.
“The Brockway fifth grade, Mrs. Okenefski’s class, brought in $30,261 in coupons, so they’re the winner. We’re going to provide them with a pizza lunch,” says Clement.
“It’s something to do. It’s interesting. It keeps me going,” says Bloom.
“The Brockway fifth grade, Mrs. Okenefski’s class, brought in $30,261 in coupons, so they’re the winner. We’re going to provide them with a pizza lunch,” says Clement.
“It’s something to do. It’s interesting. It keeps me going,” says Bloom.
Bloom says she did once hear back from a base in Turkey while doing this program elsewhere.
“They appreciated us sending to them, but since they were such a small base, they said that they would rather we send them to bigger bases,” says Bloom.
Clement says they stuff as many coupons as they can into a box, and mailing costs are sometimes covered by generous donors too.
“They appreciated us sending to them, but since they were such a small base, they said that they would rather we send them to bigger bases,” says Bloom.
Clement says they stuff as many coupons as they can into a box, and mailing costs are sometimes covered by generous donors too.
