Get on board for Money$mart Week

SUSSEX COUNTY-Free financial workshops will be offered to promote the financial wellness of Sussex County citizens of all ages and incomes during national Money$mart Week, April 18-23. "We invite financial experts in all fields to become involved by volunteering to be workshop presenters," said Susan Zellman, Sussex County freeholder liaison for Money $mart Week. "In addition, we are looking for locations for workshop sites, such as businesses, schools, municipal buildings, congregations, or non-profits that have meeting facilities and could host a presentation at some time, day or evening, during Money$mart Week." The Money$mart Committee has volunteered to coordinate speakers and sites and publicize the schedule of events and locations in area newspapers, on the county web site, on www.AroundtheArea.com and through public service announcements. Committee member Elenora Benz, Esq., who has also volunteered to be a presenter on wills, trusts and estate planning, is encouraged by community and business participation. "Several area businesses and organizations have already offered to make presentations on such topics as choosing a credit card, insurance, saving for a college education, consumer education and home buyer education," she said. The presentations, which may not include any commercials, will be generic information presented free to the public. Barbara O'Neil, Ph.D., professor at Rutgers Cooperative Extension in New Brunswick, has been working with Zellman and the Educational Coordinating Committee, which includes representatives of the Board of Freeholders, the Sussex County Technical School, superintendents of schools and Sussex County Community College, to promote financial education. Money$mart Week is an outgrowth of this effort. Students from the Technical School have designed a logo, which will be used throughout the week. The committee has gained sponsorships from Lakeland Bank, Sussex Bank and Valley National Bank, which have pledged support funding for outreach, giveaways and a kickoff event, Monday, April 18. Registration forms for presenters and volunteer host sites can be downloaded on www.AroundtheArea.com. For information, call 579-0240; or e-mail emorgan@sussex.nj.us.