America Saves Week 2008
The second annual America Saves Week was conducted February 24 through March 2, 2008. A large coalition of groups led by America Saves and the American Savings Education Council set out to:
- raise the profile of the savings issue and the need to save,
- provide the public with opportunities to assess their savings progress, and
- provide the public with concrete steps to improve their savings habits.
Over the course of America Saves Week,
- More than 600 hundred organizations, agencies, financial institutions, non-profits and companies participated by reaching out to employees, customers, members or the general public;
- Over 75,000 people attended over 1,800 events;
- Over 25,000 enrolled as “Savers” through America Saves or affiliated local Saves campaigns, or took the Military Saves Pledge;
- Over half a million people saw information about America Saves Week on the web;
- Millions were reached through press in major markets including Washington, DC, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, Miami, among many others;
- A new website, www.AmericaSavesWeek.org, provided info and advice to individuals and organizations; and,
- Saves Week was recognized with a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives, sponsored by Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH). The Governors of Tennessee and Washington, along with many other elected officials, issued proclamations or other statements of support.
Some highlights include the following:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service had educators in nearly 30 states participate, reaching an estimated 6 million people through the media, internet, advertising, mail and direct contact. In Florida and Utah, extension agents planned events in every county.
- WorldatWork, an association of human resource professionals, offered one-on-one financial counseling to employees and promoted the week in publications and on its website, which are read by more than 30,000 employees and customers.
- The Federal Reserve Board offered daily savings tips to employees, and made savings publications available in lobbies and cafeterias. Over 50,000 employees were reached.
- Several state agencies participated, including the Washington State Department of Retirement Services, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System, and the Ohio Treasurer. Activities ranged from promoting workplace savings programs to offering events and financial counseling.
- Over 30 local organizations spear-headed Saves Week campaigns, including North Carolina Saves, which enrolled over 2,500 new Savers, and Cleveland Saves, which had over 700 people attend events.
- More than 200 military banks and defense credit unions accepted millions of dollars in savings deposits. In order to spur savings, many of these institutions offered new savings products like match gifts or special savings rates.
Click here for a full summary of America Saves Week 2008 activities.