Travis AFB celebrates Piggy Bank Pageant participants

  • Published
  • By Dr. Lisa Rich
  • Travis AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. The Airman and Family Readiness Center, in partnership with Friends of Family Services, held the Piggy Bank Pageant in conjunction with Military Saves Week to encourage military children to set money goals and begin saving.

Eleven children from Travis Air Force Base, California entered the competition by building piggy banks using materials such as milk cartons, water bottles, mason jars, and paint. 

Maj. Jared Mitchell, 60th Comptroller Squadron commander, announced the winners during a ceremony on March 9 and emphasized the importance of saving. 

Athena Barsabal won first place in the seven and under age group category with her “Piggerina” bank inspired by the movie “Leap.” She said it took her four days to construct and that she will be using her piggy bank to save for a trip to Hawaii. 

Other winners included Leena Le Howard taking top spot in the 8-12 year old age group. Emery Howard claimed the runner up spot with the most votes. 

Each winner received $50 from Friends of Family Services to kick-start their savings and begin developing good savings habits.

“The sooner your child makes saving a habit, the more likely it will become a habit that lasts into adulthood,” said Jerry Quinn, head of Wells Fargo Military and Veterans Programs.

To help parents engage in financial literacy conversations with their children, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website provides several activities and conversation starters adapted from “Money as You Grow,” focused on building money skills, habits and attitudes that can serve them well as adults.

Military Saves, a component of the nonprofit America Saves and a partner in the Department of Defense’s Financial Readiness Campaign, seeks to motivate, support and encourage military families to save money, reduce debt and build wealth. Visit www.militarysaves.org for more information.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau aims to make consumer financial markets work for consumers, responsible providers and the economy as a whole. Visit www.consumerfinance.gov for more information.

For more information about Military Saves Week or programs offered at the A&FRC, contact 707-424-2486.