Penny Drive Press Release

 

       For Immediate Release                                                Contacts: Lynne Jackson: 314.532.5613

          April 9, 2010                                                                            Chanin Paxton: 910.964.8790


 
St. Louis Area Students Participate in Dred Scott Penny Drive

Proceeds to fund a statue at the Old Courthouse

 April 2010, St. Louis, MO: Area youth are participating in the Dred Scott Penny Drive. Proceeds will help fund a statue of Dred and Harriet Scott at the Historic Old Courthouse, site of the first of the landmark Dred Scott Freedom Trials. Southwest Bank, an M&I Bank is sponsoring the penny drive and will also be accepting monetary donations at area branches now through March 2011.

The 1857 Dred Scott Decision was a major catalyst that brought on the Civil War, motivated Abraham Lincoln to run for President, and resulted in the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. In little more than a decade after that decision, the U.S. abolished slavery, granted equal citizenship to all, and guaranteed the right to vote regardless of color.

Visitors to Dred Scott’s gravesite (Calvary Cemetery – St. Louis) often leave pennies on the headstone. Many believe the penny is left as a tribute to Lincoln, an icon for the abolition of slavery.

Everyone is needed!  The Dred Scott Penny Drive presents a teachable moment for schools, churches, and local organizations.  Businesses and individuals can also participate and play a vital part. The goal is to raise enough funds for the statue, site preparation and educational plaque which is estimated to be $250,000. Through the generosity of local and international donors, the statue will be dedicated as a symbol of victory for freedom fighters...past, present and future.

For more information, to download PDFs of everything needed to participate and for Southwest Bank coin counting locations, visit: www.thedredscottfoundation.org or call: 314.802.7298.