BERRIEN COUNTY — The Berrien County Cancer Service, Inc., is encouraging all residents of Berrien County to bring their pennies and donations for the 30th annual Pennies for Patients Day celebration.

In Niles, people can drop off their pennies and donations between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St.

A drop-off location is also available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at the Marie Yeager Cancer Center, 3900 Hollywood Road, St. Joseph. There will be signage to direct people to the exact penny drop off location. Midwest Family Broadcasting will be featuring Pennies for Patients on WSJM-94.9 during their early morning show. Refreshments will be served at drop-off locations.

Berrien County Cancer Service officials said individual, family, social group and workplace collections help to provide needed support to those with cancer in the community. Those who miss the opportunity to donate pennies on May 9 can still contribute through the end of the month.

BCCS is a nonprofit corporation providing skilled in-home nursing care and supportive resources at no cost for people of Berrien County who have a diagnosis of cancer or related illnesses.  Supportive resources include a large loan closet with a variety of durable medical equipment, medical supplies, comfort items, wigs, turbans, and other items as well as cancer support groups including one for children and families impacted by cancer. BCCS is funded by United Way of Southwest Michigan, donations, memorials, and fundraisers such as Pennies for Patients. 

Last year, $22,322.37 was collected through fundraising efforts. Nonprofit officials said that they hope the 2019 collection will be even more successful. For more information, call (269) 429-3281 or visit bccancerservice.org.