In an effort to help worthy organizations during the spring semester, the USA South Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) developed, "Pennies for a Purpose", in 2008. This year's community service initiative, in its 17th year, began as the student-athletes returned from winter break. The schools had until April 10th to collect loose change which would later be donated to an organization of their choosing.

With a grand total of $3,357.42 raised, Methodist is the Pennies for a Purpose champion for the second consecutive year. The Monarch total is the tenth-most accumulated in a single spring by an athletic program in the initiative's history. Meredith raised $1,018.04 to finish second and Brevard was third with $1,000.00 collected. Additionally, four institutions (Brevard, Meredith, Methodist, Southern Virginia) improved on their totals from last year while Brevard set a new school record.

Overall, the USA South institutions collected $7,372.15 during this year's competition, an average of $737.22 per school, which improves on last year's total. Over the life of the initiative, $152,979.18 have been donated to local organizations by Conference members.

"I feel a sense of joy being able to not only help raise money for people in need by providing shelter, food, and health resources but also giving them the chance to live with dignity and hope, ensuring that everyone in need has what is essential for them to succeed in life," said Salem SAAC President and junior soccer standout Serenity Powell. Salem raised $124.37, which will be donated to the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission. 

This is the second community service program developed by the USA South Conference SAAC as the "Cans Across the Conference" food drive, which takes place during the Thanksgiving holiday, was created in 2004. Through that campaign, USA South Institutions have donated a total of 659,599 items to their local communities. Greensboro was victorious in that competition by collecting 7,291 items.

Below is a list of the local organizations where the USA South institutions donated their collections:
Brevard College - MANNA FoodBank in Asheville, North Carolina
Greensboro College - Boys and Girls Club of Greensboro (NC)
Mary Baldwin University - Staunton, Virginia Valley Mission
Meredith College - Raleigh (NC) Helen Wright Center
Methodist University - The Kay Yow Foundation and Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation – Friends of the Cancer Center
N.C. Wesleyan University - Nash County Animal Shelter
Pfeiffer University - St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
Salem College - Winston-Salem (NC) Rescue Mission
Southern Virginia University - Virginia Institute of Autism
William Peace University - Autism Society of North Carolina