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Pennies for Peace Arch

Members of the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society are getting penny wise with Canada's coin.
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Members of the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society show off their pennies and posters. The group will be collecting pennies for the hospital.

Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society has coined a way to make use of Canada's pennies.

The society's Aquarius Group has placed jars at the hospital's gift shop, information desk and Superfluity store, as well as area businesses, to collect the coins for the benefit of services that enhance the care, comfort and quality of life of patients in acute and residential care.

The country's last penny was struck at the Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg in May, and Canadians have been encouraged to donate their one-cent coins to charity.

According to auxiliary society members, the message has been received.

"The community has already responded with enthusiasm and our jars are filling rapidly as people take to heart the words of Finance Minister Jim Flaherty who said that a charitable donation would be an apt last stop for the pennies," group leader Sharon Paterson said.

The idea was the brainchild of auxilian Marilyn Van Iderstine, who says the group will be collecting as long as the jars continue to fill up.