Enjoy a visit to $avingsville

A few of the proprietors of $avingsville stores gather to view Piggy Bank entries for the Piggy Bank Pageant on Saturday, at the Dyersburg Mall. Pictured are (from left) Buffy Worley of First State Bank, Vince Haymon of Fist Citizens National Bank, Megan Madden of Security Bank, Rhonda Groenke of Dyersburg Credit Union, Beth Bell of the Dyer County Extension Office, Tony Smith of Regions Bank, and Bobbie Walden of First South Bank.

Tennessee Saves, a statewide project to advance financial literacy, is hosting a Piggy Bank Pageant and Visit $avingsville Day 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Dyersburg Mall.

Children are encouraged to construct piggy banks and enter them at the Dyersburg Mall 11 for the event.

"Rules are simple," said Megan Madden of Security Bank. "Create a bank that reflects YOU. The banks are not required to represent pigs. We've received several entries through Dyer County 4H and Dyersburg Primary School and the banks are so creative."

Piggy Bank Pageant Rules:

* Children preschool through 12th grade are eligible to enter.

* Banks should not exceed 12-by-12-by-12-inches, or 1 foot square.

* Banks must be able to hold coins, i.e. cut slot to insert coins.

* Banks must be created by the child who enters the bank in the contest.

* Banks may be in any shape and do not need to represent a pig.

* Label the bottom of the bank with artist's name, school and grade.

Winners in each age category will receive a $50 savings bond and gold medal. Second- and third-place winners will receive a saving bank and medals.

During the Saturday event, area banks and the credit union will provide opportunities to teach children about savings.

"Children who develop a regular habit of saving and giving early in life have increased odds for being responsible with their money later in life," said Beth Bell, UT Extension Agent. "The morning activities will offer activities like sorting 'needs' from 'wants,' identifying coins, and 'shopping' with a budget at the $avingsville Stores."

"This is an opportunity for families to begin the process of responsible money handling," said Vince Haymon, vice president of public relations at First Citizens National Bank. "Savings is no game, but the games at $avingsville can start parents thinking about their family's money philosophies. That's the first step to making choices about allowances, contributions to church, and how the family handles money related to chores."

"In $avingsville, children will receive Savings Bucks to use to purchase items at each of the $avingsville Stops," said Rhonda Groenke of Dyersburg Credit Union. "They'll be invited to purchase a wide variety of items and to spend the money wisely. It'll be interesting to see how many children choose to save."

For additional information about the Piggy Bank Pageant or $avingsville Day, call Beth Bell at the UT Extension office (286-7821) or e-mail bbell3@utk.edu.