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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cShe knew how to navigate the city to get those permits,\u201d Nolley said. \u201cShe jumped right on board and said, \u2018Yes, I\u2019ll help you.\u2019 And so the two of us have been together doing this project since then.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city supported the initiative and installed seven refurbished parking meters downtown, while local builder John Vincent installed three around the Boonsboro area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nolley and Fitzgerald collect change from the meters until the total reaches $1,000. Then the pair reach out to their current matching business partners: Bank of the James; Schewels Home; NB Handy; Davidson, Doyle, and Hilton LLP; Pettyjohn, Wood, and White Inc.; Truist Bank; Truist Wealth; and CapTrust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe partners don\u2019t have to match the amount collected, but each pitches in something. They have been so very\u00a0generous and, cumulatively, they have given $3,000 to add to our $1,000, so we are deeply grateful to them all,\u201d expressed Fitzgerald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the three and a half years since placing the meters, Change for Change has distributed its funds eight times, totaling $32,000. All donations went to small, local charities chosen by a committee of community members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere are so many efforts in this community doing wonderful things that aren\u2019t well known and well funded,\u201d Fitzgerald said. \u201cThat\u2019s what we look for, those groups who don\u2019t receive grants and can really use the extra $4,000 for their good work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So far, Change for Change has given to Interfaith Outreach Association, One Community One Voice, Red Truck Ministries, Lynchburg Area Youth Sports Initiative, IRON Lives Inc., Kuumba Dance and Drum Ensemble Inc., Lynchburg Daily Bread, and Parkview Community Mission\u2019s Food for Thought backpack program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The donations helped buy hygiene products for teens, pay rent and electric bills, send children to competitions, and so much more. Change for Change\u2019s next contribution will go to Isaiah 117 House, which provides a safe place for children to stay while awaiting foster care placement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re making a difference for people who really need it \u2014 in small ways, not huge, but small ways,\u201d Fitzgerald said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nolley and Fitzgerald have encouraged the community to help them beyond donating pocket change. Each meter has a Venmo sticker. Additionally, the organization welcomes cans and bags of change.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In one case, Nolley and Fitzgerald accepted three buckets of change totaling around $800. In another instance, two preschools in downtown Lynchburg, St. John\u2019s Day School and Elizabeth\u2019s Early Learning Center, collected coins in a classroom jug and organized a school-wide field trip that allowed students to put money in the meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s been a great opportunity for them to visually instill in the children the importance of helping those in need in their community \u2014 those who don\u2019t have what they have,\u201d emphasized Fitzgerald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Change for Change is officially under the umbrella of United Way and was previously under the Lynchburg Community Foundation. Officially, it qualifies as a nonprofit organization. Since there is no overhead cost, every cent that goes into a meter is donated to a local charity. Nolley said she hopes people \u201cspread the love,\u201d and maybe one day, every town will have something similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s just such a wonderful feeling when you know that you can help somebody else,\u201d Nolley said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t take much to give in order to make a change; just a little bit can go a long way.\u201d GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “A LITTLE CHANGE goes a long way” is the motto of the fundraising organization Change for Change Caring Meters, and the saying has proven true. Since September 2020, 10 lime green parking meters around Lynchburg have been collecting pocket change to distribute to local nonprofits — and the amount of money collected has reached the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":21170,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lynchburg-va\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/2-1024x683.png\")
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