Published: October 06, 2009 08:56 pm      

AutumnFest scarecrows earn more than $1,000 for Salvation Army

PRINCETON — Scarecrows that traded scaring crows for fundraising have brought extra money to the Salvation Army in time for winter and the Christmas season.

Twenty scarecrows created by Princeton businesses and other entities raised an even $1,909 during the build up to Princeton AutumnFest, said Keith Circle of the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce.

Each scarecrow had a collection buck in which the public could donate money. The winning scarecrow was judged by the amount of money it raised.

The scarecrow Monopoly Man, created by First Century Bank, was the winner with $300.22 raised, Circle said.

“We were really pleased, said Assistant Vice President Michelle Beck at First Century Bank. “The whole staff pitched in and came up with ideas. It was great.”

Monopoly Man won’t be competing next year–the bank will create a new contestant–but he still has a place at the bank.

“Monopoly Man will become a Santa or a pilgrim,” Beck said. “Any season we can use him.”

A foundation that has asked not to be named will match the $1,909 collected by the contest, said Capt. Aaron Goldfarb of the Salvation Army.

“This will be used for programs of the Salvation Army, for food, utilities, Christmas and housing as well. It is $1,909 worth of new money. We have never had a donation like that before, and to me, that’s very encouraging.”

The $1,909 represents the year when the City of Princeton was incorporated, Circle said.