In the past month, communities across the country have cleared out drawers and searched their sofas to collectively give what is estimated to be about $50,000 of obsolete cash for the Heads Up for Kids project.
The two tonnes of cash, collected by the Lions Club, was made up of old New Zealand and foreign currency, dug out and donated during the project's recent National Awareness Week.
Heads Up for Kids was founded by Queenstown Lion Simon Hayes in 2010. To date, the project has collected more than 16 tonnes of old New Zealand decimal and pre-decimal currency, foreign coins and banknotes.
Lions Club member and Heads Up for Kids currency processor Roy Peterson, of Wellington, was delighted with the results.
''It goes to show that every little bit can make a big difference.
''We are currently processing the coins and banknotes, and estimate the value to be close to $50,000 in legal tender.''
Old and foreign currency has been donated from Northland to Invercargill, and nearly a quarter (470kg) of the total was from the Otago region.
''Some of the coins date back to the 1700s, and we've received old 10 shilling notes and currencies that are no longer in circulation. It's amazing what people have stashed away,'' Mr Peterson said.
The funds will be processed into dates, types and denominations and redeemed for legal tender, then used to support young New Zealanders to attend programmes to help them to build confidence and develop new skills.
Heads Up for Kids has funded more than 75 young New Zealanders.
''It's important our young people are recognised and given opportunities that boost their confidence and provide a springboard for them to grow into great New Zealanders of the future,'' Mr Peterson said.
''That's one of the great things about Heads Up for Kids - it turns something people don't use into memorable and life-changing experiences for young people.''
The project will continue with the aim of reaching $1 million.
