September 18, 2003
Northwest Florida Daily News
REBECCA CASON

NICEVILLE-- It's official. Wednesday will forever be known as "Okaloosa Saves Day" thanks to a proclamation issued by Okaloosa County Commission Chairwoman Paula Riggs.

Riggs and other political, business and education leaders gathered at Okaloosa-Walton Community College to kick off Okaloosa Saves, a campaign that encourages people to build wealth instead of debt.

The county's savings program became the 13th of its kind in the nation under the America Saves organization.

"This program demonstrates how joining together we can make a difference in the lives of our citizens and our employees and promote a better economy in Okaloosa County," said Bob Richburg, OWCC president and Okaloosa Saves advisory board chairman.

The program starts by offering motivational workshops to businesses, churches and community groups.

Savers sign up, then set a personal goal to begin or increase savings and to reduce their debt.

Throughout the process, wealth coaches are available for peer support and encouragement.

Jon Kurpil, the general manager of Wal-Mart Supercenter in Crestview, signed up his business at the Wednesday kickoff.

"We have about 400 associates in the building," he said. "They are there every day, working hard to make a living. Anything we can do to provide them some guidance on savings, we're happy to do it."

Already, 47 savers have enrolled in the program when the county conducted a trial period last year.

Those enrollees have saved a total of $11,120 in increments of $26 to $50 a month.

Their goals, in order of importance, are to save for an emergency fund, for retirement, for home ownership and to retire debt.

Okaloosa County Property Appraiser Pete Smith dressed as George Washington and author Marguerite Hart dressed as Ben Franklin for the kickoff.

About 11 businesses, government agencies and nonprofits signed up for the program on Wednesday.

For more information about Okaloosa Saves, call 689-5850