How to Put a Fun Twist on Your Penny War

What is a Penny War? A Penny War is a fundraising game competed in by various grade levels, departments of a company, or friends and family. The object is to get as many points as possible during the "war" by putting coins in containers.  The team with the highest dollar total when the coins are added wins. The best part -- when you raise funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, everyone is a winner!

We have put a fun "twist" on the classic Penny Wars by combining it with a "Lemon Face." A Lemon Face is that goofy, funny face that everyone makes immediately after sucking on a lemon slice. Get teachers, neighbors, co-workers, or friends to suck on a lemon slice, then quick...snap a picture! Now you have Lemon Faces...let the Penny War begin!

The Details:

• You will need large, enclosed containers. A sealed, one gallon plastic milk container, with a slit large enough to insert coins and bills, works quite well.
• Each container should have a picture of someone making a Lemon Face. Label it with the name of the person, their homeroom, their department, or any appropriate identification of your choosing.
• The containers should all be placed in a central location where there is some adult supervision. 
• People vote for their favorite Lemon Face by putting a penny in the respective container. One point is received for every penny in the container.
• When silver coins and paper money are put into the containers, points are taken away from other Lemon Faces (for example, a nickel reduces the points by five, a dime by ten, a dollar by 100, and so on). This is where strategy counts. Have fun with it!
• Containers are emptied and counted daily. The total monetary amount of silver coins and paper currency in each container is deducted from the total number of pennies for the day in that container to get the “score.”
• The scores for all Lemon Faces are posted regularly to encourage friendly competition. A chart, blackboard or whiteboard, in a central location, works well for these postings. OPTIONAL: A prize -- a pennant, cup, or lemonade pitcher -- can be given to the leading Lemon Face each day and adds to the excitement
• At the end of the Penny Wars, the scores for each day are added to get the final scores.  The winning Lemon Face is announced. If a prize is included, it is presented to the winner.  Of course, bragging rights always make an enjoyable prize!

Helpful Hint:  It helps to have a committee organized to count and roll the coins. Try asking a friendly local bank to help with the service.