Seventh-graders in the Penn Central Middle School gifted support program begin the year asking when they can start their microloan projects.  

“They can’t wait,” gifted support program teacher Kristen Swanson said.  

Beginning in November, seventh-graders made a variety of products to sell, from Laura Frederick’s chocolate candy-covered pretzels to Hayden Sandt and Andrew Shaqfeh’s parachute cord necklaces, raising a combined total of $1,296.42 to donate to the charity of their choice.  

“I’m really amazed every year when I see how much money they make and in such a short time, Swanson said.  

Now in its third year, the microloan program began after Swanson heard 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammed Yunus speak about his concept of offering small loans to impoverished people who did not have sufficient credit to qualify for a loan.  

Penn Central Middle School Principal Dr. Thomas Rutter decided to offer a microloan program to gifted seventh-graders with the help of a grant from First Savings Bank of Perkasie. The $1,000 grant, which is split between Penn Central and Penn North middle schools, is paid back from the students’ projects so that funds are available to loan to the following year’s class, according to a Dec. 24, 2010, News-Herald article.  

Swanson, who lived in Africa for 10 years, uses the project to raise her students’ awareness of world issues like malaria, AIDS and the lack of clean drinking water. But the project also serves another purpose, helping the students cultivate business skills as they prepare project proposals, advertise their products and work to pay back their loans.  

“We need entrepreneurs and we don’t talk about it much in school,” Swanson said.  

Students presented their proposals to Todd Hurley and Kevin Crawford of First Savings prior to receiving their loans. Meeting with the bankers, who arrived at the school dressed in suits, was intimidating for the students, said Tina Loose, a Penn Central parent and volunteer.  

“We coached them on how to introduce themselves and shake hands with the bankers,” Loose said.  

The students prepared a prototype of their product, explained their costs and outlined their business strategy, including where they planned to sell their products, student Omar Ibrahim said.
Sometimes the proposals needed some tweaking before the loans were approved.  

“Our earrings were originally lower priced than they should have been,” said Kennedy Peace, who along with Casey Barnes, crafted handmade earrings and lip gloss. The students raised the price for their jewelry since each pair took 45 minutes to make.  

Although students worked on making their products during a few class periods, the bulk of the labor was done on their own time. Each team of students spread the word about their products by creating posters or giving an advertisement on the school’s morning announcement program.  

“We found some stars,” Swanson said of the students’ advertising efforts.  

Students took advantage of the holiday shopping season as they sold their items to family members, neighbors and guests at school events like the winter concert at Penn Central. Some customers gave more than the purchase price.  

“Sometimes people would just throw money at us,” Ibrahim said.  

“Parents were definitely in a giving mood at the winter concert,” Loose agreed.  

All of the students were able to fully pay back their loans, with an average profit margin of 81 percent. Total combined expenses for the microloan projects came to $300, according to Loose.  

Although Barnes said that she is “kind of relieved” that the stress of balancing schoolwork and the microloan project is over, the students were enthusiastic about the results of their endeavor.  

Front Row: Kennedy Peace, Faith Altomare, Piper Zimmerman, Dylan Baker, Omar Ibrahim, Tara Petrosky Back Row: Selene Cullen, Casey Barnes, Paul Senoi, Max Haughin, Nathan Runk, Ryan Cuthbert, Mrs. Kristen Swanson

With the proceeds from her pretzel sales, Frederick is giving three microloans of $25 each to entrepreneurs in other countries through Kiva, an online lending platform. Frederick expressed appreciation for the personal nature of giving to help individuals rather than to a large organization.  

Elle Kerrigan, Sophia Handy and Sarina Lawless’ cake pop sales will help other girls their age receive an education through Girl Up. The green Pennridge Christmas ornaments made by Karlie Shagen and Katie Fischer will benefit children with cleft palates through Operation Smile. Three teams donated to Water.org, which provides water purifiers and builds wells in villages lacking clean water, according to Ibrahim.  

“Here in the U.S. it’s very uncommon to wake up and not have water to bathe in,” Peace said.  

Global issues are made more relevant to the students by the fact that Swanson herself contracted malaria many times while she lived in Africa, Loose said.  

“It brings it home to them that this is real,” Loose said. “This is someone who’s been there.”

Some of the packages that were sent to troops for the Soldier Comfort Kit program.

This year’s Soldier Comfort Kit Program was another success!  60 large packages were shipped for the holiday season to our troops serving overseas.

This marks the 8th year that First Savings Bank offices accepted items from customers as well as employees, from October thru November, and the response was terrific! 

In addition, special thanks to Pennridge North Student Council and teacher Aliese Davis for coordinating a school-wide drive for items to be included  in the Soldier Comfort Kits.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year another success and remembering our troops!

The Senior Fair and Forum will be held Thursday, October 6, at the Pennridge Senior Center, 146 East Main Street, Silverdale.  The free, public educational session will run from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and is geared for area residents approaching 55 years of age or older. Information will be available from more than 20 organizations that are scheduled to attend, all focusing on Senior Citizen issues, concerns and lifestyles.

 One of the highlights of this year’s event will be the recognition and honoring of Nancy Keenan, long-time civic activist and elder care advocate, who passed away in December 2010. Scheduled to attend the event are representatives of Congress, the State Senate, State Representatives, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Aging, as well as Directors, Chairpersons and members of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging and County Commissioners Office.

 “Mrs. Keenan’s true passion was for the elderly. She became a mostly self-taught authority on elderly law and healthcare following her 1987 completion of the Close Up Foundation’s “Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council Leadership Forum” in Washington, D.C., noted Dean Souder, Vice President, Trust Officer of First Savings.  “She served as chairperson of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and also the Southeast Regional Council of the Pennsylvania Council on Aging. She also wrote ‘The Prime Time’ column in an area newspaper, covering issues of importance to the elderly, including Medicare program changes, guardianships, and living wills. Most notably, Mrs. Keenan was a driving force behind the building of the new Pennridge Community Senior Center in Silverdale. In addition she was instrumental in organizing the Pennridge Senior Center Association, Inc. Her advocacy was recognized with many well-earned accolades and awards at the state, county and municipal levels.”

 “Another new addition to this year’s Sr. Fair will be our version of the ‘Antique Roadshow’ with an appraiser on hand,” said Souder. “If you are interested in having an item appraised, bring it to the Fair; we ask that only one item per person be appraised, due to the time restraints.”

 In addition to the exhibitors and guest speakers; prizes, give-aways and refreshments will be available.  Further information can be obtained by calling First Savings at 215-257-5035.

All kinds of food are available and numerous activities are schedule throughout the day.  The complete schedule can be found at http://pennridgecommunityday.org.    First Savings will be sponsoring the the youth races beginning at 3p.m. across from the foot bridges adjacent to the athletic fields.  Not to be missed are the annual fireworks, again sponsored by First Savings,  beginning about 9:15p .m.

The information as reported by the News-Herald is included below:

Pennridge Community Day 2011

2011 schedule of performances

June 1st – CB South Jazz Band  High School Jazz Band
June 8th – CB East Jazz Band High School Jazz Band
June 15th – Community Conservatory of Music Variety of Music Styles by Students
June 22nd – Fiorenza–Dowlin Folk Duo
June 29th – Bucks County Free Library Storytelling, Music, Jokes for the Whole Family
July 6th – Christy Jefferson Vocal/Guitar/Keyboard
July 13th – Edward George Interactive Musical Storytelling
July 20th – Slim Bob Blues Artist
July 27th – Spotlight Dance Centre Get Up and Move to Various Styles of Dance
August 3rd – Eco–Man Environmentally Friendly Show for Children
August 10th – Fitzpatrick School of Irish Dance Irish Step Dancing
August 17th – RGM Project  Contemporary Blues/Jazz/Funk Ensemble
August 24th – Simon Martinez & Group  A Feast of Jazz, Fusion and Rock Music
August 31st – Bill Aust  Accordionist Extraordinaire 

We’re told there are still slots available if you are interested in joining in the Ribs BBQ cooking competition for cash prizes.  More information can be found at http://www.perkasieoldetowne.org/.  

Whether you’re lookin’ to cook or eat, there should be something for everyone at this new expanded family event. 

First Savings will have a table at the event as well, come on out and stop by!

Perkasie Olde Towne Association Springfest Event List 

► Lenape Park Pavilion

10:00 a.m. – Noon – 5K Run / 1 mile fun-run 

► Main Stage (Market & 7^th Streets)

12 p.m. – 2:00 pm – Battle of the Bands

2:10 p.m. – Perkasie Olde Towne Association Music Scholarship Presentation

2:20 p.m. – Hot Ribs Award Presentation—Sponsored by First Savings

2:30 p.m. – Perkasie Olde Towne Association Scholarship presentations

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 pm – Mango Men

4:30 p.m. – Pie Baking Award Presentation

4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – 102.9 WMGK Radio Station

7:15 p.m. – POTA Raffle Drawing

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Zydeco A Go Go 

► Main Tent (Shelly’s Parking Lot – Chestnut & 7^th Streets)

12:30 p.m. – Sampling Starts for First Savings Hot Ribs Competition – don’t forget to
             purchase your taste tester’ coins while supplies last.

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Pie-Baking Competition/Sampling/Eating – stop by to drool over the deliciousness and don’t forget to bid on your favorite pie (silent auction)

5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Beer Tasting Tent – wrist bands on sale all day at POTA tent 

► Kids Spot (Parking lot at Walnut & 7^th Streets)

Noon – 5:00 p.m. – Inflatable Kid’s Rides (wristbands $12 for all day & INCLUDES Trackless train)

Noon – 12:45 p.m. – Lolly Hopwood & the Lots Play Today Band

12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Leapin’ Lions – Let’s Play Today Kids Games

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Magic Show – Barry Weaver Magician

       PLUS – Favorite Characters, Roving Magician & more throughout the day 

► Teen Scene (First Savings Parking Lot 7^th & Market)

1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Competitionpalooza tournament & games 

► All-Day Activities

Noon – 5:00 p.m. – 5^th & Market – Horse-drawn Wagon Rides

Noon – 5:00 p.m. – 7^th & Arch – (Lovely Ladybugs Store Station) Trackless Train Rides

($2 per child OR unlimited rides are included with the wristband purchase)

Noon – 5:00 p.m. – Market Street – Craft Alley, Sponsor Vendors

Noon – 5:00 p.m. – Inflatable Kid’s Rides (wristbands on sale all day & INCLUDES Trackless train)

Noon – 9:00 p.m. – Shelly’s Parking Lot – Food Court

Noon – 7:00 p.m. – POTA Tent on 7^th Street – RAFFLE tickets on sale all day!

  PLUS – Perkasie Historical Society Walking Tours (times TBA) 

► Into the Evening Hours (7^th & Chestnut)

4:30 p.m. – ??? – 7^th & Chestnut – A&T Chevrolet/Subaru Big Wheel Rock n Roll

5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Beer Tasting Tent

First Savings has been invited to participate as one of the presenters/panelists in the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce “Building Green on a Budget” seminar, Thursday, March 17, at the Aldie Mansion (Heritage Conservancy) in Doylestown.  

First Savings has been asked to focus our part of the presentation on Adaptive Reuse of commercial property; featuring branches at Poole’s Corner at the intersection of Route 202 & 313, Doylestown; the Buckingham branch location currently under construction on route 413 and Cold Spring Creamery Road  as well as the 9^th St. Administration Building as case studies. Leading the discussion will be Pete Brown, First Savings VP of Marketing; also participating in the presentation will be Joseph Phillips, partner in George J. Donovan AIA Associates who served as the architect for all three buildings and Steve Swartley, President of Penn Builders who was the general contractor of the three projects. 

The annual event is well attended with more than 100 expected this year.  Attendees included architects, contractors, business persons and others interested in the Green movement.  There is no charge for admission; however, seating is limited and pre-registration is recommended.  More information is available by visiting:  https://www.firstsavingsonline.com/Green/

550 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20429-9990 Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

SA-10-2011
January 12, 2011

SPECIAL ALERT

SUBJECT: Consumer Alert
Summary: E-mails fraudulently claiming to be from the FDIC are attempting to get recipients to click on a link, which may ask them to provide sensitive personal information. These e-mails falsely indicate that FDIC deposit insurance is suspended until the requested customer information is provided.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports from consumers who received an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The e-mail informs the recipient that “in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, federal, state and local governments…” the FDIC has withdrawn deposit insurance from the recipient’s account “due to account activity that violates the Patriot Act.” It further states deposit insurance will remain suspended until identity and account information can be verified using a system called “IDVerify.” If consumers go to the link provided in the e-mail, it is suspected they will be asked for personal or confidential information, or malicious software may be loaded onto the recipient’s computer.

This e-mail is fraudulent. It was not sent by the FDIC. It is an attempt to obtain personal information from consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT under any circumstances provide any personal information through this media.

The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission. Until this is achieved, consumers are asked to report any similar attempts to obtain this information to the FDIC by sending information to alert@fdic.gov.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC’s Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2011/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. Thompson
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Note: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC’s Public Information Center, 877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200.