No More Birthday Pennies

Birthday songs are still being sung and birthday children continue to be recognized. But collecting birthday pennies to assist in the health care of children is no longer a part of Primary.

For years, the pennies went to the Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. More recently they were used to assist sick children in the ward or stake where they were collected—or sent to the Presiding Bishopric’s office, if not needed locally, to be used worldwide.

The present Primary curriculum provides many opportunities for children to practice the important principle of caring and sharing. “Additional opportunities could be provided for children to experience acts of service to others,” says Naomi M. Shumway, general president of the Primary. “All service projects must be approved and conducted under the direction of the local priesthood leaders.”