The Penny Harvest Field at Rockefeller center was our way to thank New York’s children for their idealism, generosity, and hard work on behalf of others. We hope everyone who saw it gazed at their amazing accomplishments with pride, and come away inspired. Remember: Penny Harvest children not only gather more pennies than anyone in history, but, to the best of their abilities, they put every last penny to good use to help their communities. That’s how Common Cents uses the program to teach citizenship and leadership to a new generation.

The Penny Harvest is a year-long program for lifelong values. It starts before Thanksgiving with a spirited campaign to gather pennies. It continues after the holidays, as student leaders, over the course of three months, research, discuss, debate, and finally decide school by school how to put their money - along with their minds and muscles - to work on the problems and needs of their neighborhoods. Finally as the weather warms, the children spring into action, sending out checks to their chosen charities, and fanning out to plant gardens, perform at senior homes, tutor preschoolers – and much more.

In December 2007, the Common Cents Penny Harvest Field was open to the public from 9 AM – 9 PM, north of the world-famous Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, just west of Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets.

The Penny Harvest Field at Rockefeller Center was made possible by the children of New York City and Common Cents’ generous donors.

Project Sponsors:
The Ford Foundation
Cole Haan

Hosted by:
Tishman Speyer

Project Partners:
Polshek Partnership Architects
StructureTone, Inc.
Weidlinger Associates, Inc.
LaPlaca Cohen
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP
The Brink’s Company
Con Edison
General Contractors Association NY, Inc.
Levien & Company, Inc.