Rabbit Helps Others Earn Awards for Outstanding Financial Education

Online, October 8, 2009 (Newswire.com) - It has been an incredible year and journey for Sammy Rabbit and the Los Angeles based socio micro enterprise It's a Habit, an innovator in youth and family financial education. Their interactive curriculum played a central role in a program developed by University of Maryland Cooperative Extension educator Megan O'Neil who was recently awarded the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Dean Don Felker Award for excellence in financial education.

"This is the third time another organization has used Sammy products to develop an award winning financial education program," stated It's a Habit founder, Sam X Renick. "It is one thing when your organization wins an award, but it is a much greater honor and testimony when others receive recognition for using your creations."

In June 2008, DuPont Community Credit Union (DCCU), who feature Sammy Rabbit storybooks was bestowed the Virginia Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award. This was preceded in June 2007 by three ninth grade teenagers, from San Saba, Texas who won a national competition and gold medal for their Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) service project that brought Sammy Rabbit music, storybooks, and a personal appearance to elementary students in their community.

"Sammy Rabbit has been very beneficial, helping us teach thousands of students every school year that "Savings is a Great Habit," said Sarah Landram, DCCU financial educator. "Sammy helps young people become more enthusiastic about saving money! Our financial education lessons are crafted around Virginia Standards of Learning. Sammy material contains economic principles that help review these concepts with the students."

"It is really amazing how Sammy connects on a variety of levels: elementary students, teachers, trainers, parents, high school students, credit unions and bankers," shared Renick. "One, if not the most challenging issue in teaching financial literacy and financial education is to get kids and instructors interested in the material. Regardless of age, I think having a lovable multi media vehicle helps to more effectively communicate smart money management concepts and strategies."

In addition to the aforementioned awards, earlier in the year, Sammy and It's a Habit, were inducted onto the Loyola Marymount University Wall of Honor for excellence in social entrepreneurship. In October 2008, the Institute for Financial Literacy named the company's first story It's a Habit, Sammy Rabbit! children book of the year. That was preceded in October 2007 by the California Jumpstart Coalition bestowing the organization with their Outstanding Leadership Award.

"It is hard to believe everything started when I took an idea out of my head and wrote it down on a napkin from McDonald's," shared Renick. "It has been a tremendous journey. We have met so many wonderful people and organizations who are dedicated to empowering kids and families. It gives you confidence for the future."

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About Sam X Renick and It's a Habit! (IAHC)
It's a Habit! Company Inc. (IAHC) was co-created in 1998 by Sam X Renick in an effort to promote and encourage financial literacy in children. The Los Angeles micro-enterprise is dedicated to teaching financial literacy and other empowering life skills and habits, with a primary focus on young children and their families.

Renick, a former financial adviser turned award wining author, songwriter and social entrepreneur, was first struck with the idea when numerous clients expressed their disappointment at not learning financial prowess at an earlier age. After repeatedly hearing the same lamentations from his clients, Renick began writing It's a Habit, Sammy Rabbit! with assistance from his Financial and Insurance Services partner Alonso Silva Jr. Sam and Alonso later teamed up with illustrator Juan Alvarado and former Disney graphic designer, Carlos Rodriguez to form IAHC.

A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Business, Renick has partnered with the Air Force Aid Society to bring financial awareness and saving strategies to the forefront of children's minds. He spent the previous twelve years working for TRW and SAIC in subcontract and project management, where he became intimately familiar with the design and development process. As a result of immediately practicing the "from every dollar save a dime" philosophy, Sam was able to change careers twice, first in 1993 to start his own financial and insurance consulting firm, and later to form IAHC in 1998.

The mission of IAHC is to globally provide children, families, and organizations with strategic tools that encourage the multiplication of good habits, especially saving money. Along with original songs and coloring books, IAHC uses mascot Sammy Rabbit to instill in young children the importance of financial know-how.

About Sammy Rabbit
Sammy 'the get in the habit' Rabbit is a friend, families love and learn with. Through his story book adventures, songs, sayings, and skits at live appearances, Sammy inspires kids, trainers, and educators of all ages, but particularly kids ages 4 to 8, to start positive habits like saving money, reading, writing; to become leaders of themselves; and to make BIG DREAMS come true for themselves and their families. Two of Sammy's favorite strategic sayings are: Saving is a great habit! From every dollar, save a dime! Sammy has two story and work books titled It's a Habit, Sammy Rabbit! and Sammy's Big Dream! He has a music CD titled Mission 1: Celebrate Saving! He also has a coloring book titled Saving is a Great Habit! as well as a set of stickers.