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Local
business people teach kids about saving
by Hillary Wolfe
Covina Courier Press, September 20, 2001
It’s
never too early to start saving.
At least that’s the message that Alonso Silva Jr. and his partner,
Sam X Renick, hope to get across to school children with a presentation
and soon to-be-published book called “It’s a Habit, Sammy
Rabbit!”
Silva and Renick spent nine years as colleagues in the world of finance
and insurance and came across some consistent complaints from their
clients. Silva said people either wished they had starting saving
when they were younger, or more specifically, they wished someone
had taught them a few things about saving when they were younger.
Rarely, Silva said, he would hear a client express how glad he was
he had started saving early.
Silva said Renick, owner of his own financial and insurance service
practice since 1992, came up with the idea of a children’s book
on the freeway. He pulled over and wrote it down on a napkin. The
hope was to target a young audience believing that good habits formed
early would carry over into adulthood.
They began writing about four years ago, and now, after some 300 revisions,
the book is about one-and-one-half months away from publication, with
a second book in the works.
Silva had joined Renick in 1998 to form SXR Financial and Insurance
Consultants offering financial and insurance products and services.
But even without an actual book, Silva said they were anxious to get
the message out about good financial habits as soon as possible, believing
that today’s students are financially illiterate.
So, they put their illustrations on storyboards, and have been doing
presentations in classrooms for the past 1-1/2 years.
“We do a presentation – talk to kids – and get into
several skits,” said Silva. “Our message is consistent
with what financial institutions teach; save before you spend.”
So far their presentation has been seem by more than 3,000 students
in 15 school districts, including Los Angeles, Inglewood and Watts.
The book, which will be printed in both English and Spanish, was written
in a fun and entertaining way. It follows the adventures of Sammy
Rabbit as he learns the value of saving from an aunt, who tells him
saving is a habit. Sammy Rabbit saves carrots all summer, and his
hidden store of carrots rescues his family when a storm wipes out
their food supply.
Silva lists several prominent people among those who have endorsed
his presentation as “a noble program with innovative ideas.”
They include principals and educators. Rep. David Dreier agreed to
offer a statement of support for their work.
Silva said the presentation, which they give within the classroom,
is tailored to second and fourth graders, and can emphasize any special
interests of the teacher, such as reading or math. They have also
presented to kindergarten through fifth grades, middle schools, high-schools
and college students.
Their next presentation will be Sept. 27 at the MacLaren Children’s
Center for abused and neglected children in El Monte.
Renick is unmarried and lives in Los Angeles. He and Silva have been
friends for more than 20 years.
Silva has lived in West Covina for the past 13 years. He is married
with three children, ages 8, 12, and 14.
“They each have their own account,” said Silva. “We
give them opportunities to make money.”
For more information on the presentation, or to arrange for a presentation
at your school or classroom, call (626) 917-2674, or contact their
Web site.
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