(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) – In an effort to help worthy organizations during the spring semester, the USA South Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) developed, "Pennies for a Purpose", in 2008. This penny drive, in its second year, began on March 1 and continued until April 10. Until that time, schools were encouraged to collect loose change which would later be donated to an organization of their choosing.

Overall, the USA South institutions collected $4,365.48! Over the two-year history of the program, the USA South institutions have donated $7,087.24 to local organizations. With a grand total of $2,372.50, Meredith College is the Pennies for a Purpose champion for 2009. Meredith will donate its winning amount to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The Avenging Angels will be presented the Pennies for a Purpose plaque at a later date. Mary Baldwin College raised $935.23 to finish second while Peace College's $391.21 rounded out the top-three.

Each institution donated their collections to various organizations in their local communities. Averett University donated its collection to God's Storehouse, a food bank for the less fortunate in Danville, Va. Christopher Newport made its donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Newport News, Va. Ferrum College shared its donation with the local St. James Center. Greensboro College made its donation to the local Urban Ministry. Mary Baldwin College donated its amount to Relay for Life. Peace College sent its collection to the American Spinal Injury Association. Finally, Shenandoah University is still deciding who will receive its collection.

This is the second community service program developed by the USA South Conference SAAC as the "Cans Across the Conference" food drive, which takes place during the Thanksgiving holiday, was created in 2004. Through that campaign, USA South Institutions have donated a total of 85,020 items to their local communities.