NORTH BEND — If the U.S. Mint were to suddenly discontinue the penny, Barbara Davidson would be the first in line to protest.

A voracious fan of the almighty penny, which the Albertsons checker collects all year long from friends, customers and anyone with a little change jangling in his pockets, she has purchased Christmas gifts for needy children for the past five years.

“It makes a difference, so they can never quit making pennies,” Davidson, 54, said. She and her two oldest granddaughters collect the copper cents to benefit children they pick from the Tree of Joy at the Pony Village Mall. Adorned with paper ornaments bearing the names of children or families, the tree gives locals an opportunity to sponsor the needy.

In 2007, Davidson, her family and donors brightened the holidays for 70 local children by purchasing gifts valued at about $2,000. Davidson, a good bargain hunter who looks for sales on toys all year-long, spent closer to $620. On Dec. 11, she and a group of friends and co-workers wrapped all of the gifts, which included skateboards, Barbie dolls, remote control cars, trucks and scooters.

 “If we can do that ahead of time, we can get a lot more. We can stretch the almighty penny,” Davidson said as she sat at home, late last month, while her granddaughters Rylee, 8, and Gracie Pittullo, 5, played with pennies.

Although people bring pennies to Davidson by the hand, bag, and bottle-full, she said she does make up some of the cost of the presents, but she doesn’t mind. It all fits with the lesson Davidson has strived to teach her grandchildren since she started the effort.

“These children are pretty darn blessed and I want them to know that there are other people who need our help sometimes and it doesn’t take a lot to do it. It just takes pennies,” said the slim woman with chin-length brown hair and an animated voice. “I just felt as a grandparent (that) this is a simple way to teach them something.

“It’s just one or two, but what does one or two do?” Davidson asked the girls.

“They all add up!” the girls shouted.

Since Davidson and her granddaughters began collecting pennies, the money and the amount of people they have been able to help has jumped each year, starting with four, then 11, and now 70. Rylee said she hopes to be able to pick 100 names next year.

“I think that it’s just a joy to help other people,” Rylee said. “When I go to the Tree of Joy, I’m just happy because I’m giving something to children that are needing more than they have.”

Added Davidson: “They won’t have an empty tree, will they?”

Just as she collects pennies from anyone willing to give, Davidson also has collected stories of where the pennies came from.

One colleague likes to leave pennies in her locker, another man brought pennies he collected from friends while on vacation, and others will hand her folding cash.

“We only want pennies, but if we get more, we are grateful,” Davidson said, adding when a customer is about to get a few pennies in change, she and other checkers will tell them the penny story. “It’s going to touch children even if they are just pennies.”

Friend and co-worker Donna Bacoccini, who helps Davidson collect pennies whenever she can, said she is impressed with Davidson and her dedication toward helping others. In addition to gathering change for gifts, Bacoccini said Davidson participates in the store’s Relay for Life team and enjoys helping people at work.

“I just think she is a very special lady,” Bacoccini said. “No one in the store has pennies because we give them all to Barbara. I tell customers that.”

And if you’ve ever doubted the value of a penny, Bacoccini said just give one to Davidson. She’ll glow.

“I think it’s tremendous. I think it’s a story that people can take into their own homes and teach their children or their grandchildren. Look what a penny can do.”