Columbus Saves

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Press Date: January 18, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Learn how to “Build Wealth, Not Debt” as part of the activities planned for Columbus Saves Week, Jan. 23-27, 2006. During this week, free workshops will be held throughout Columbus to help area residents learn the five key strategies for learning how to save.

Columbus Saves is a free program to help people save money and reduce debt. Anyone who agrees to work toward a savings goal can be a Columbus Saver. A goal can be as little as $10 per month or any amount you wish to save.

"The goal of Columbus Saves is to 'Build Wealth, Not Debt,'" said Bridgette Sloan, project coordinator for Columbus Saves. Columbus Saves, a coalition of Columbus-area organizations, employer groups and financial institutions, was launched in October 2004. It was initially organized by Susan Shockey, family and consumer sciences educator for Ohio State University Extension in Franklin County. Sloan's office is housed within the Franklin County Extension Office on Hamilton Road.

Today, nearly 600 area residents are Columbus Savers, Sloan said.

On Monday, Jan. 23, a Community Partners Day kickoff seminar is being held at the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission at 285 East Main St. from 10-11 a.m. In addition, free programs for the public are being offered on:

• Monday, Jan. 23, 7-8 p.m., at the Reynoldsburg Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 1402 Brice Road, Reynoldsburg.
• Tuesday, Jan. 24, noon-1 p.m., at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus.
• Tuesday, Jan. 24, noon-1 p.m., at the Westerville Branch of the KEMBA Credit Union, 4220 E. Broad St., Columbus.
• Tuesday, Jan. 24, 7-8 p.m., at the Hilltop Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 511 S. Hague Ave., Columbus.
• Wednesday, Jan. 25, 12:30-1:30 p.m., at the Livingston Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 3434 E. Livingston, Columbus.
• Wednesday, Jan. 25, 3-4 p.m., at the Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 75 N. High St., Dublin.
• Thursday, Jan. 26, noon-1 p.m., at the Westerville Branch of the KEMBA Credit Union, 4220 E. Broad St., Columbus.
• Thursday, Jan. 26, 12:30-1:30 p.m., New Albany Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 200 Market St., New Albany.
• Thursday, Jan. 26, 5-6 p.m., Gahanna Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 310 Granville St., Gahanna.
• Thursday, Jan. 26, 7-8 p.m., Southeast Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 3980 S. Hamilton Rd, Groveport.
• Friday, Jan. 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus.
• Friday, Jan. 27, 7-8 p.m., Maronda Homes Model, 104 Georges Creek Drive, Pickerington.

In addition to the free workshops, Columbus Savers can open a free or low-cost savings account offered to Columbus Savers at local financial institutions. Learn more by calling Columbus Saves at (614) 866-6900, Ext. 209, or by attending one of the free workshops during Columbus Saves Week.