Making A Wish Means Big Money in Minnesota

When we were kids, a lot of things brought moments of joy to us. Swinging on a swing at the playground or in the backyard, going to get an ice cream treat at the local ice cream place, and fountains in public places.  

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Ok, maybe I’m the only one who thought those were thrilling as a child.  

As a child, I was amazed by the fountains and how the water flowed and the sound they made. Of course, I always envisioned being able to get in the water, play and splash around.  

Another part of fountains I thought was cool, was how everyone threw money into the water. With a quick google search you’ll find that the origin of this concept comes from ancient Rome.  

Folks would throw money into the water along with a prayer or a wish. People then were very dependent on the nearby bodies of water for their survival, so water represented a powerful force that influenced their lives.  

There’s still a belief that says if you throw money into the water of a fountain, your prayer or wish will come true. That’s why so many people still do it. It may have started as something we would do as a child, but often continues when we become adults. 

On the topic of throwing money into fountains, I came across this statistic that was reported by CNN, but I’ve been able to verify from Yahoo Finance as well.  

The money that is thrown into the fountains at the Mall of American in Bloomington totals about $25,000 per year. That’s over $2,000 per month.  

Reports state that the money collected from the fountains at the Mall of America is donated to area charities and non-profit organizations.   

So, the next time you’re at the mall, give some money to your child or grandchild, or let the child inside you, throw some coins into the fountain. Not only is it a fun experience, but it will also impact the needs in the area.