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It makes sense to support local military personnel and their families. It takes cents to provide that support.

That's why the Blount County Chapter of the American Red Cross and CBBC have kicked off a new campaign -- Cents for Soldiers -- to help reunite military personnel with their loved ones in times of family emergency.

The campaign continues until Dec. 19.

"What we're asking you to do is to take your change out of your pocket, out of your car, your coffee can, your chewing gum money -- we're asking everyone just to be a participant in this. This is a little bit we can give," Joe Bruce, president and CEO of CBBC, said at the bank's downtown Maryville office during the kickoff.

Red Cross Cents for Soldiers collection canisters are at every CBBC branch. Contributors also can also drop off their coins at the Red Cross chapter office at 1741 Triangle Park Drive, Maryville.

Chris Davis, executive director of the Blount chapter, said a 2006 survey done in East Tennessee showed only 30 percent of the respondents knew Red Cross supplies this support.

"That loved one could be in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan. They could be in Fort Benning, Ga., but the point is they're not here and the Red Cross is the organization that thoroughly, professionally, quickly helps gets the message sent and helps get those loved ones home," Davis said.

Bruce said the bank wanted to be a part of the effort.

"We have men and women in the armed forces all over this world. The American Red Cross has always been there to support the families, especially Blount County Red Cross. As a business we want to be a part of this," Bruce said.

"We know we're in a deep recession, but we also know we have freedom. What is prosperity worth if you don't have freedom?"