SHALIMAR — Six winners were drawn from the 204 entries with deposits totaling $23,167.82 in the Teach Children to Save program, orchestrated by local financial institutions, and the University of Florida's Okaloosa County Extension office.
The six winners received $50; however, all 204 are winners for making deposits and beginning a life-long commitment to saving. Our sponsors for this event are BancorpSouth, Beach Community Bank, Eglin Federal Credit Union, First City Bank, and PenFed.
Youth were asked to set a savings goal and make a deposit into a savings account, which makes them Okaloosa Savers. Since the program began in 2004, there have been 2,969 youth making deposits totaling $301332.90.
The individual winners are: Landon Burns; Trey Crouse; Jaynie Darby; Brady Duval; Destiny D'Angelo; and Branten Smith, Crestview resident.
"The average American savings was up to 5.3 percent in 2015. Programs like Teach A Child to Save, the Okaloosa Saves annual Eco-nomic Living Expo on Money, Home, Health, and Environment, as well as America Saves are making great strides in increasing financial security for our citizens," stated Sherry Harlow, Eglin Federal Credit Union marketing & public relations manager and Okaloosa Saves Board chair.
The organization's tips for parents include:
●Spread the message of the importance of money and budgeting.
●Make saving second nature.
●Get them to a local financial institution; open a savings account or deposit into an existing account.
●Teach like a mom, think like a kid.
●Curb their appetite for spending.
●Teach the basics of investing.
●Encourage them to be entrepreneurs.
●Be a role model.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa group recognizes Teach Children to Save winners