A penny is an impressive sight to behold when thousands of them fill bucket after bucket.

Also impressive is the relief loose change brings to organizations in the Capital Region that help children, youth and families through lifeB次元官网网址檚 challenges.

For 15 years that has been at the heart of Black PressB次元官网网址� annual Pennies for Presents fundraiser, which launches today (Nov. 4) and continues until Christmas.

B次元官网网址淓very penny really does count because every penny is going to a charity that needs it,B次元官网网址� said Kyle Slavin, a Black Press reporter and chair of the 2011 Pennies for Presents campaign committee.

About $618,000 has been raised since the campaignB次元官网网址檚 inception.

Last year, more than $12,000 was generated by businesses, schoolchildren and readers of the Victoria B次元官网网址, Saanich B次元官网网址, Oak Bay B次元官网网址 and Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette.

This year, five organizations have been selected to benefit from the penny drive, including the Mary Manning Centre, Threshold Housing Society, Victoria READ Society, the Young Parents Support Network and suicide prevention group, NEED2.

B次元官网网址淧ennies for Presents is a great charity. We do this every year and our staff have fun doing it,B次元官网网址� said Black Press editorial director Kevin Laird. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just as important to us as it is to our readers.B次元官网网址�

How you can help

B次元官网网址� Cash donations can be dropped off at Black Press head office, 818 Broughton St. and at the Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette, 117-777 Goldstream Ave. in Langford.

B次元官网网址� For a list of businesses that are accepting donations, watch for notices in the Victoria B次元官网网址, Saanich B次元官网网址, Oak Bay B次元官网网址, B次元官网网址 Victoria B次元官网网址 Daily.

B次元官网网址� Schools interested in participating can contact call 250-381-3633 ext. 269 or email kslavin@saanichnews.com.