With the penny now out of circulation, three local banks got together in February to find a way to put the coin to good use.
Scotiabank in Fernie organised a competition with the other banks in town to see who could raise the most money from a penny drive. Scotiabank, TD Canada Trust, and the East Kootenay Community Credit Union all took part in the drive, which raised money for local charity Friends for Friends.
Community members dropped off their spare pennies and change at all three branches up until March 1, raising a grand total of $1,332.13.