Whitehall Chamber and Whitehall Ledger Reinstate Push Pennies Assistance Program

Around 2007, Whitehall Ledger owner Greg Corr began PUSH PENNIES. Meant to give those in need the extra "push" they need, donation boxes were placed at the grocery store, gas stations, and other local businesses in hopes that change would be donated. Corr would then round up the change, put it into its own bank account and, when a traveler or person in need came into Whitehall, he was there to assist. Before his untimely death in 2015, Corr's PUSH PENNIES helped dozens of travelers in need of a bit of gas, food, vehicle repairs, and more.

Last Wednesday, a gentleman and his sister, from Kentucky, visited the Town Hall. They had been scammed by someone claiming to have a job for them in Lima. They had uprooted their lives to take this job and had sent several thousand dollars to the employer to secure their position. When they arrived in Lima there was no job, their money was gone, and they realized what had happened. Unfortunately, they had spent their last bit of money traveling to Montana and now needed to get back to Kentucky. Their gas tank hit empty in Whitehall and they searched for help.

Luckily, the Whitehall Ledger, as well as the Mayor and one of the town council members were able to assist. But it made me realize how missed and needed PUSH PENNIES was. There was no longer an easy location to search for assistance, no longer one phone call that could be made that everyone knew to use, no longer a fund to help.

Therefore, in honor of Greg Corr's original idea, PUSH PENNIES has been reinstated. Donation boxes are currently at the Whitehall Chamber and the Whitehall Ledger. Drop your spare change in and you could be part of the solution to help give that extra push needed for one to get back on their feet.

If your business is interested in hosting a PUSH PENNIES donation box, please contact the Whitehall Chamber (406-287-2260, whitehallmtchamber@gmail.com) or Whitehall Ledger (406-287-5301, whledger@gmail.com).