Penny power propels tsunami relief

GARDNERVILLE - As soon as Will Lockett spied a photographer at his martial arts class Thursday, he became suspicious.

Usually Will doesn't take class that day from George Fujii at West Coast Martial Arts. Four other days a week, Will is at the studio and has earned a brown belt because of his dedication.

But this Thursday was special.

The 11-year-old sixth grader was presented with Fujii's boyhood penny collection. Will donated $175.32 of his pennies to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

"I was really surprised," Will said Monday. "It's pennies that he's collected since he was a kid. I am going to put it in a real special place in my room."

Fujii said he was inspired to donate his collection because Will was "a role model of the true essence of marital arts."

"I was moved and wanted to hand down this collection to him to restart his collection along with some foreign coins I have collected over the years," Fujii said.

Fujii's collection includes a nearly complete series of pennies from 1911 to the present.

"It has every coin from 1939 to 1975 or so, including several pennies from 1943, when they made pennies from steel, not copper, because of the war," Fujii said. "I have no idea of the value, but I've had the coins for more than 30 years."

Fujii said he was so proud of what his young student had done, he decided to hand down his collection.

Shortly after the disaster struck in south Asia on Dec. 26, Will was so moved by the tragedy he decided to donate his penny collection. For 10 years, friends and family had been giving him pennies for college that amounted to $175.32.

Will took the money to St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville which is turning over donations to Catholic Charities for tsunami relief. Even though the Locketts are not members of the parish, the family was satisfied that the money would go to the victims rather than be chewed up in administrative costs.

As soon as the weather improves, Will plans to canvass his Gardnerville neighborhood for extra pennies.

He's also getting another boost from his martial arts instructor.

Anyone who donates coins will receive a free pass for three martial arts lessons which can be given to a friend or family member.

Fujii said coins can be brought to the studio at 1617C Buckeye Road, across from the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center in Minden from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays.

"I challenge anyone who has any bowls of pennies or 'wheat' pennies lying around to donate them to William to help restart his collection," Fujii said.

Will's mother, Pamela Lockett, said the family has had offers of penny donations.

"People are calling up and saying, 'Hey. I've got this box of pennies, and I am not doing anything with it," she said.

To Will, the donations are proof of the power of the penny.

"If you get a lot, it can turn out to be a lot of money," he said.

YOU CAN HELP

• West Coast Martial Arts head instructor George Fujii is offering three free martial arts lessons for anyone who donates coins at the studio, 1617C Buckeye Road, Minden, across from the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information, 782-8343.

• St. Gall Catholic Church relief drive through this month. Donations may be brought to the church, 1343 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville. Checks may be made to St. Gall Catholic Church "tsunami relief." For information, call 782-2852.