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Blount Countians have until Sept. 4 to purchase their Partners for Kids Patron Checkbooks.

This year's books have more than 60 "Buy one/Get one free" offers and more than $100 worth of free items and services. The total value is estimated at more than $5,000.

Coupons to more than 100 restaurants are in this year's books, said Gary Heath, the program's campaign coordinator.

The book also includes coupons such as four free adult admissions to the Sam Houston School House, free admission to any Maryville College home athletic event and free family admission to the Marble Springs John Sevier Memorial Association. Area schools participating this year are:

— Alcoa Middle School;

— Apostolic Christian Academy;

— Carpenters Elementary School;

— Carpenters Middle School;

— Fairview Elementary School;

— Friendsville Elementary School;

— Lanier Elementary School;

— Mary Blount Elementary School;

— Maryville Christian School;

— Middlesettlements Elementary School;

— Montvale Elementary School;

— Porter Elementary School;

— Rockford Elementary School;

— Townsend Elementary School;

— Union Grove Elementary School;

— Union Grove Middle School;

— William Blount High School.

Schools from which the books are purchased receive 75 percent of the fundraiser's total profits and 25 percent goes to pay printing and promotional costs, Heath said.

This fall season marks 20 years of the county school's primary fundraiser. The books have generated more than $3 million tax-free dollars for schools since 1989, Heath said. "Since 1989, the size (number of pages) of the Patron Checkbooks has increased two times, but the books are still only $10 each. I really cannot think of too many things that haven't increased in price over the past 20 years."

"The reason the program has been so successful is because it is one of those win-win projects. It's a great way to save money, benefit the school and be able to experience new businesses," Heath said. "We're particularly excited about this year's book, because it contains more restaurants and dining options than ever before."

School officials are excited about the fundraiser. "The books sell themselves. Everyone wants to save money and the Patron Checkbooks are a way of doing that. Usually you can use just one coupon and cover the cost of the book, everything else is savings in the pocket," said Jake Jones, Porter Elementary School's assistant principal. "It is a great program!"