Ever wondered what happens to the coins you tossed into the fountain at the Selma Mall?

The Selma Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) has the answer &045;&045; at least for the next three months.

Kathi Smith &045;&045; president of the Selma Chapter of ESA &045;&045; said that during July, August and September all money tossed into the Selma Mall fountain will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Selma Mall General Manager Carver Boynton said fountain donations usually go to various non-profit organizations. According to Smith, the mall is granting ESA three months of fountain funds.

ESA is a national women’s philanthropic organization. Every year in March Selma’s chapter hosts a radiothon fund-raiser. Donations this year, though, haven’t been as good as in past years. Smith said she hopes fountain donations change that.

Smith said she’d like ESA to raise $10,000 through fountain donations. Last year ESA donated $10,000 to a growing list of people in need.

If someone is in need, Smith said ESA assists. In the past the group has sponsored golf tournaments and held raffles in order to raise funds.

According to Pat Phillips, former ESA state president, the organization was founded in 1929. ESA was originally a literary organization, but during World War II it developed into a service group.

ESA currently boasts more than 20,000 members nationwide.