Money Matters Program at Norwood Middle School

Pictured are the winners of the Money Matters Program, an 11-week financial literacy program presented to 25 middle school age kids from Norwood Middle School and Cornerstone Christian Academy. The program was held at the middle school and sponsored by The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation.

Samantha Smith from NMS and Brett Lewis from CCA won the top awards for their business proposals that were made to a panel of judges from the Norwood business community. The kids were awarded a professional football signed by Jonathan Fanene from the Bengals who spoke at the program's kick off.

Also pictured are John Keuffer, Kathy Garrison and Richard Carey who taught the course and have also presented it to other kids throughout the country in the past 10 years. Special thanks go to Kevin Raines of Center City Collision, Nelson Ernest, retired small business owner, Elaine Stuard of Baird and Associates, Barry Burns and Joe Marsh from the Huntington Bank, Norwood branch for taking time from their busy schedules to serve as judges.

Each of the kids received a grade for their attendance and participation in the class as well as a financial reward if they concluded the class with an A or B. Thanks to Huntington Bank for helping to support the event and providing the opportunity for each of the kids to open a savings account at the conclusion of the program. Joyce McDowell from The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation remarked "this is probably one of the best programs the Foundation has offered to date, and we are hoping to offer a one day class for kids and parents this spring if there is interest in the community." She also added that Caleb's Godparents, Barry and Ellen Burns were in town from Portland, Oregon for one of the presentation days. They were elated to see such a powerful remembrance of Caleb's memory and to see first hand how proceeds from the "Forget-Me-Knot" Walk are benefiting kids in the community. Mark your calendars for the 2011 Walk scheduled May 14.