CHECK OUT THE CHANGE JARS

Submitted by Robert S. Kelley, First Baptist Church, Groveport, Ohio

For several years the Royal Ambassadors (RAs) at the First Baptist Church in Groveport, Ohio, have signed out change jars to members of the church family.  This begins in January of each year and continues until the traditional time for the AAEO Sunday.  Church members sign out the jars, which have been decorated by the RA boys.  The members then fill the jars with change or currency and return them when they are either full or at the assigned time for the offering.  Those who wish to do so may take the jars back for a refill! The sign out list is necessary, because sometimes members forget to bring in their jars and need to have a reminder call. 

The RA boys have routine sleepovers as part of their program and in preparation for the Spring RA Congress.  During the sleepovers the boys help count and roll the change. The amounts given by each person are turned in to the financial secretary so the church members are given credit on their tithe statement. The individual amounts and names are kept confidential between the RA director and church finance secretary.  The money is taken to the bank and turned into larger denominations/currency before it is turned in as part of the offering.  The counting committee sure appreciates that in a big way!

These offerings are in addition to what the church members usually give toward the AAEO.  We have raised several thousand dollars over the years. 

Note:  We actually use one pint plastic containers, for safety purposes, rather than jars.