02/18/2008

'Ohio Saves Week' Kicks Off Feb. 24

Writer:

Martha Filipic
filipic.3@cfaes.osu.edu
(614) 292-9833

Source:

Cyndi Renn, Consumer Sciences
renn.7@osu.edu
(614) 292-0858 or (614) 747-0152

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Recent headlines tell the economic story:

• "Job, recession worries send consumer confidence lower"
• "Pending sales of homes fall to near record low"
• "Ohio unemployment rate hits 6 percent"

With so much attention focused on the economy, it's the perfect time for Ohioans to get their financial houses in order, said Cyndi Renn, program manager in consumer sciences for Ohio State University Extension.

Renn is helping coordinate activities throughout the state for Ohio Saves Week, Feb. 24-March 2. Ohio Saves is part of America Saves, a national campaign involving more than 1,000 nonprofit, government and corporate groups that encourages individuals and families to save and build their personal wealth. America Saves Week is an effort designed to increase awareness that people need to save money, reduce debt and build wealth.

Several county offices are taking part in Ohio Saves Week activities. They include:

• Franklin County: Columbus Saves is sponsoring several events, including "Grow the Money You Have" at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave. Columbus Saves member Sylvia Watson will present the program. From 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, Stefanie Steward-Young, Columbus Saves representative from National City Bank, will talk about "From Debt to Wealth, or How to Save $1 Million: The Basics of Becoming an American Saver" at the Linden Library, 2223 Cleveland Ave. In addition, at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, the Franklin County Commissioners will issue a proclamation in support of Columbus Saves on the 26th floor of the Franklin County Courthouse. To learn more about special savings options from area financial institutions or to enroll in Columbus Saves, see http://www.columbussaves.org.
• Hancock County: During Ohio Saves Week, Hancock Saves will announce details of its second annual Wealth Fair to be held on March 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Education and Wellness Center at Owens Community College. More information is available at http://www.hancocksaves.com or by contacting Angela Crist, Extension program coordinator for Hancock County Saves, at (419) 422-3851 or crist.66@osu.edu.
• Knox County: Knox County will kick off its first Knox County Saves Campaign. Programs include "Real Money, Real World," a financial education role-playing event for youth; educational programs for adults; and tax clinics in partnership with United Way. For more information, contact LuAnn Duncan, family and consumer science and community development educator for OSU Extension in Knox County, at (740) 397-0401 or duncan.920@cfaes.osu.edu.
• Ottawa County: The OSU Extension office in Ottawa County is partnering with United Way to increase awareness of the importance of money management. For more information, contact Marcia Jess, family and consumer sciences educator for OSU Extension in Ottawa County, at (419) 898-3631 or jess.1@cfaes.osu.edu.
• Wayne and Holmes counties: As part of the Wayne/Holmes Saves program, area financial institutions will be participating in "Roll Your Change Week" to draw attention to the large amount of change in everyone's home and to increase awareness about saving money. Participants will have a chance to win a $100 U.S. Series E Savings Bond by depositing money into an existing savings account or by enrolling in Wayne/Holmes Saves and opening a new account. Participating financial institutions can be found in Berlin, Killbuck, Millersburg, Mt. Hope, Orville, Rittman, Shreve and Wooster. For more information about "Roll Your Change Week" or Wayne/Holmes Saves, contact Marcia Brueck at the Wayne County office of OSU Extension at (330) 264-8722 or brueck.1@osu.edu.
• Clark County: One of nine OSU Extension offices participating in Miami Valley Saves, the Clark County office of OSU Extension will host a community reception to bring community partners and leaders together to hear the "Saves" message on Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at its office, 4400 Gateway Blvd., Suite 104, in Springfield. For information, contact Carol Miller, family and consumer sciences educator at (937) 328-4607 or miller.59@osu.edu.
• Montgomery County: Activities complementing Miami Valley Saves will be offered during the week and into March, including the OSU Extension Master Money Mentor training, basic budgeting classes and Saves workshops. For information, contact Chris Olinsky at the Montgomery County office of OSU Extension at (937) 224-9654 and olinsky.1@osu.edu.

Other counties participating in Miami Valley Saves are Darke, Miami, Shelby, Preble, Clinton, Warren and Greene. In addition, Allen and Auglaize counties are partnering to form West Central Ohio Saves, and Fairfield County has formed a local Saves program. To learn more, contact the family and consumer sciences educator at the OSU Extension office in any of those counties.

For more information on the national program, America Saves, see http://www.americasaves.org/.

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