The copper penny will soon be a thing of the past in Canada and one arts group in the Cowichan Valley is trying to help the cause along.  

The Cowichan Valley Arts Foundation, established this spring, is collecting the coins as part of its fundraising efforts to help children realize their dreams.

“We’re planning on continuing the Pennies for Performers fundraiser for as long as we need to rid the Cowichan Valley of the penny,” the group's president, Olivia Boudreau explained.

The foundation is raising money to help children get involved in performing arts on three levels. One is for low income children wanting to take lessons, from guitar to dance. The second will be for children looking to expand their repertoire in the arts but who may not have the means to do so, and the third will come in the form of scholarships for teenagers hoping to go university or college to pursue a career in music, dance and or theatre.

“Our goal is to send as many kids as we can to classes, so the more pennies we get through the door the more children we’ll be able to help this fall.”

People can donate to Pennies for Performers at five locations around the valley. Those include Adage Studio, Mr. Mike's Steakhouse & Bar, Royal Lepage in Duncan and Lake Cowichan, Island Hose and Hydraulics and Berks Intertuck.

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