Photos by Bert Vanderveen

By Lauren Rippey
March, 2009

Thousands of coins spill into jars as a cluster of fourth- and fifth-graders gathers to gauge progress. A cheer ripples through the Canterbury School students as they realize their accomplishment: They’ve raised $2,000 for Pennies for Peace in only two weeks.

A program of the Central Asia Institute, Pennies for Peace brings hope to children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its founder, Greg Mortensen, is the author of the New York Times best-seller Three Cups of Tea, a biographical account of what inspired him to build schools in remote regions of the world. Mortensen will be in town in April — and will be making a special stop at Canterbury.

The project launched with a chapel service. “The whole fourth grade planned our chapel, and it was sort of like a big kickoff,” student Maggie Berry recalls. “Our Spanish teacher’s husband grew up in Pakistan, and so she did our sermon,” adds Lauryn Durham, recognizing Laura Hernandez, who says she is moved by the students’ passion and will visit Mortensen’s school on her next visit to Pakistan.

Allie DuBose brought in the first pennies. “My grandmother gave me a full jar, and my dad told people at his work about it,” she says. Cayley Pinson creatively bartered with a Girl Scout — she’d buy cookies if the friend would give pennies. Even the Tooth Fairy has done her fair share. “It’s a really fun fundraiser for people who can’t afford what they need,” says fifth-grader Ben Palmer. “The money can build a school or help a school — whatever is needed most,” Jack Maginnes adds.

Although the project wraps up March 26, fifth-grader Walker Miller notes year-round opportunities: “Over the summer, you can do Pennies for Peace in your own home. And tell others, too.”

“It’s fun helping people,” Brad Brewington agrees. “I think the project gives our school a bright vibe.” Their teacher, Elaine Hoover, has led the campaign for two years. She suggests the timing is right: “This is a story of hope, and hope is what many people are hungry for now.”

Batter Up!
A surefire sign that spring is here? The return of our beloved Greensboro Grasshoppers. The team will play its first home game of the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 against the Greenville Drive. Aside from new promotions and giveaways, the most notable difference this year will be the game times. The club has decided to push back the start of its games by five minutes in honor of its fifth season in town. Night games will now start at 7:05 p.m., while day games will start at 12:35 p.m. As a tribute to the team’s five-year run, here are five facts about Greensboro baseball that you may, or may not, have known.

QUICK HITS
The Grasshoppers were awarded Baseball America’s 2008 Bob Freitas Award for best organization on the Single-A level. The award honors franchise stability and community involvement.

The Hoppers’ downtown stadium has welcomed more than 400,000 fans in each of its first four seasons, pushing the park’s grand attendance total to 1,715,000.

Darin Everson has been named the team’s manager for 2009. He replaces Edwin Rodriguez, who was named manager of the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs in the offseason.

The Grasshoppers played their first home game April 3, 2005. It was an exhibition against the Florida Marlins, the team’s parent club. The Marlins won 21-2.

Greensboro’s minor-league teams have featured some of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars, including Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly, Mariano Rivera, and Curt Schilling.

For more information about the team, call 336-268-BALL or go to http://www.gsohoppers.com.