Now, let me start by saying I am all about supporting the school and helping raise money for it. I cut out every little box top out there, I support the book fair and am a member of the PTA. What I am talking about is those yearly or even bi-yearly big ol' packets of things they are supposed to sell. You know the ones with the overpriced boxes of chocolates, the candy, expensive rolls of wrapping paper and this year even magazine subscriptions.
As a kid I was in band all through high school so had more than my fair share of selling things. I remember coming home all excited after their
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| My eye was on the prize of a min-boom box much like this one |
Last week my kids jumped in the car, big fat packets in hand. "There was this really cool ball that lights up when you bounce it", Lucas was saying to Alex as they got in.
"Yes and there are two tickets to Disneyland!" Alex added equally as excited.
They continued to talk about all the cool things the brainwasher had showed them leaving them with false ideas of how easy it was to sell 100 things so they could get Disney tickets. All the while the pit in my stomach grew as I knew I was about to be a dream crusher.
We play all sorts or roles in motherhood: teacher, nurse, monster chaser- but dream crusher just isn't one I really enjoy.
I knew their fund raising dreams were impossible as you see, the rules of fundraisers and society have changed since I was in grade school.
Door to door selling is no longer allowed, now you can sell to your family, friends and co-workers.
For us that means my family who all lives hundreds of miles away who I then would then have to pay to ship the overpriced items to.
Or my friends- you know the ones who all have kids in the same school as mine that are also selling those overpriced items with the desperate wish of going to Disneyland.
Now don't forget my co-workers; oh but wait I am a stay at home mom. My husband, who is a Construction Project Manager, works on-site at the hospital he is building with only a handful of other employees.
So yea- I was a dream crusher. Also a sucker too-as I will have to buy at least three things from each kid so they can get each get the darn bouncy ball for selling 3 items.
Did I mention I hate school fund raisers?
Oh and do you want to buy some overpriced wrapping paper?
No really do you?
I am being really careful about the fundraisers we do. I refuse to sell candy, wrapping paper or butter braids. I am however, going to offer Little Caesar's Pizza Kits! They saved last spring!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with your selling!
ohhhh i can't stand the school fundraisers. I wish there were some new ideas like a huge school play or something that the kids worked hard on and then could sell tickets. My highschool did something like that where they had the parents involved as well and they always did a comedy and it was a huge hit every year.
ReplyDeleteHello,
DeleteI would like to ask feedback. Our company is looking to offer fundraisers that involve the students. We create jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, and key chains that would have their school logo, etc. However, the jewelry is also plantable. So... the students could plant the pendants to celebrate achieving a goal, graduating, etc. Students could make starter pots and partner with local businesses to create a school garden. Pendants will grow into flowers, herbs, vegetables, or even trees. What do you think?
Product is made in Michigan, zero waste, non-toxic, and affordable.
I too am a dream crusher. Every year when they bring those packets home, I tell them to turn right around and take them back to school. I don't even glance at them anymore. What am I going to do? Say, hey, I have three kids in the same school, wanna buy something from each of them? Yeah, not gonna happen! Thanks for stopping by my blog last week!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good idea just to send them back immediately- as yes I have two in school now and I feel like I have to buy equal from each, such a pain.
ReplyDeleteUgh... school fundraisers. I have horrible memories of them from when I was a kid. My brother and I weren't very outgoing, so we'd force our mom to go door-to-door with us, then cower behind her while she sold our chocolate bars for us. (Needless to say, Mom ALSO hated school fundraisers). We live in a small town, so unless you got out early, many of the people who opened the doors would say, "Sorry, I already bought from so-and-so." And because we were so shy about it, we always left it til the last minute. Horrible, horrible memories!!!
ReplyDeleteYes!! I don't think anyone, other than that one kid who's parent took it to work and made all their coworkers buy tons of stuff so they won, have good memories of school fund raisers. Wow that was a run on sentence.
ReplyDeleteYes-- something different and fun I would be totally happy to support! Sounds like your high school did it right.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I have never participated in a school fundraiser. I'm totally THAT parent. ;o) I mean, if Lex comes home selling cookie dough, I'll buy a tub, but I draw the line at sparkly wrapping paper.
ReplyDeleteI hate school fundraisers with a passion! This year I am beyond thankful that all 3 girls are out of elementary and the fund raisers (except for the band sale of citrus fruit) are done!! Of course when Andrew starts school they start again too but maybe by then I'll change my mind about them...
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! Sounds like you are definitely the right person for the PTA.
ReplyDeleteUgh I hate them too...and how I had to sell for everything I used to be involved in...it's no fun!
ReplyDeleteYes cookie dough is always good-- though sadly we don't seem to use it as quickly as I think we will.
ReplyDeleteWhere do I begin? The fundraisers..well they suck. I will say when I was in high school I sold cookbooks. We had to wear buttons. "I want one!" the next year the button said, "Quick and Easy." Nice.
ReplyDeleteYea- probably won't change your mind :) Yes between band and school ones it was one after the next it felt like growing up
ReplyDeleteAlso note.....many employers won't even allow you to sell at work now. I loathe it all!
ReplyDeleteIt really seems like no one likes them very much, so why do they always do them?? Seems like they could come up with different ideas.
ReplyDeleteLol Quick and Easy! What were they thinking???
ReplyDeleteTrue! I didn't even think of that.
ReplyDeleteOur new school in Orange County does a fundraiser at the start of the year that asks parents to donate money upfront as different tiers of membership for their PTO. Like you can do the $30 for a family membership to the PTO, or you could donate $100 and be a Gold level member. Or you don't have to do anything. By offering different "levels" for membership and those donating what they want/can, they only have to do 1 other major fundraiser a year which is a walk-a-thon (which I actually enjoy that one). They still do box tops, book fairs, and restaurant nights, but those are all fun things that I enjoy participating in as well. Our current school in the Bay Area was talking last year about trying to do something similar to this as well because the parents are so tired of the gift wrap, etc.
ReplyDeleteWe also do a 5K run, restaurant nights, sidewalk bricks and all sorts of things- which I am all happy to support so wish we didn't have to do this one too
ReplyDeletei know how you feel son is in band and he will get his cookie dough paperwork for the band Thursday which just happens to be the first day of school
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I remember these well!
ReplyDeleteAnd we're all waiting for my nephew to begin school (and surely bring one home) in a few weeks!
What's popular over here is the butter braids - which are delicious!
He makes out quite well with so many aunts and uncles, grandparents, and friends!
Yeah, they are a pain. And since my kids go to different schools, I get twice the variety in my fundraising options...:)
ReplyDeleteUgh, I remember those overpriced items. The worst was when I was a kid, we had to hand deliver said overpriced items. It was a lot to ask of a 10 year old, to keep the orders straight and follow through. My poor mom had to cart me around, and we lived in a rural area. It was such a waste of gas. I don't think I even earned enough to get anything cool!
ReplyDeleteYeah... Catholic school.. I have to pay an extra tuition payment if I don't make the fundraising commitment....
ReplyDeleteUgh, I work at 2 schools and the little boogers are always coming in and trying to sell to me...and I am such a sucker!
ReplyDeleteOh that would be hard to constantly be asked!
ReplyDeleteUgh, that stinks!
ReplyDeleteYes! Really the parents have to do most of the work in the end
ReplyDeleteEeek, that stinks! At least you have two sets of grandparents who probably can't say no close by :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is a butter braid? I have never heard of that. I wish we had more family close by
ReplyDeleteYep-- it begins and seems to last all year long
ReplyDeleteI cringe when I see them coming.
ReplyDeleteYes! I don't know why they keep doing these kind does anyone like them?
ReplyDeleteI think the only people who have success with fundraiser are Girl Scouts. Give the school some incredibly delicious cookies, jack up the price, people will still buy them!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your fundraiser!
I Always buy my 8 yr old Daughter a really great *prize* for agreeing not to do the fundraisers! Oy.
ReplyDeleteWe go all out at the Book fair, and make cash donations form time to time.
Our free time is so limited, as it is, I will not spend it badgering others to buy things they don't want.
I would love to see the children hold a "Back Yard Carnival" on the two huge sports fields though! They could dress up as clowns and performers ect... even the little ones could man games like the, "Pick A Lucky Duck Pool! Now that would be fun!
I Always buy my 8 yr old Daughter a really great *prize* for agreeing not to do the fundraisers! Oy.
ReplyDeleteWe go all out at the Book fair, and make cash donations form time to time.
Our free time is so limited, as it is, I will not spend it badgering others to buy things they don't want.
I would love to see the children hold a "Back Yard Carnival" on the two huge sports fields though! They could dress up as clowns and performers ect... even the little ones could man games like the, "Pick A Lucky Duck Pool! Now that would be fun!
I Always buy my 8 yr old Daughter a really great *prize* for agreeing not to do the fundraisers! Oy.
ReplyDeleteWe go all out at the Book fair, and make cash donations form time to time.
Our free time is so limited, as it is, I will not spend it badgering others to buy things they don't want.
I would love to see the children hold a "Back Yard Carnival" on the two huge sports fields though! They could dress up as clowns and performers ect... even the little ones could man games like the, "Pick A Lucky Duck Pool! Now that would be fun!
I Always buy my 8 yr old Daughter a really great *prize* for agreeing not to do the fundraisers! Oy.
ReplyDeleteWe go all out at the Book fair, and make cash donations form time to time.
Our free time is so limited, as it is, I will not spend it badgering others to buy things they don't want.
I would love to see the children hold a "Back Yard Carnival" on the two huge sports fields though! They could dress up as clowns and performers ect... even the little ones could man games like the, "Pick A Lucky Duck Pool! Now that would be fun!
I Always buy my 8 yr old Daughter a really great *prize* for agreeing not to do the fundraisers! Oy.
ReplyDeleteWe go all out at the Book fair, and make cash donations form time to time.
Our free time is so limited, as it is, I will not spend it badgering others to buy things they don't want.
I would love to see the children hold a "Back Yard Carnival" on the two huge sports fields though! They could dress up as clowns and performers ect... even the little ones could man games like the, "Pick A Lucky Duck Pool! Now that would be fun!
I'll start off with a confession; I own a Fundraising Company; www.wecarecoffee.com.
ReplyDeleteNow that that's out of the way, let me say that I absolutely know how you feel. I have 2 daughters in school, and because one is an athlete, and the other a musician, it feels sometimes like we're hit every other day with one catalog or another.
The heart of the problem is that many times, when a group doesn't raise enough money with a fundraiser, they feel they have to do another. The more fundraisers a group does, the less they make. At some point, they are competing against themselves, burning out their volunteers, and getting no where.
The best strategy for your schools, is to clearly communicate to the parents exactly what they are raising money for - way before the brochures ever go out. At the same time, they should tell you, what fundraisers they're planning to run, how much they need to make, and the consequences for not reaching their goal.
The best prizes are 2-tiered; The group that raises the most money gets a pizza party, or something, and then if we reach our overall goal, then everyone who participated will get to do... something fun.
There also should be a consequence for missing the fundraising goal. It should be more serious than, "If we don't raise $5000, we'll have to run another fundraiser.". Maybe it needs to be a cancellation or postponement of whatever they were planning to do with the money. Afterall, if the community was behind it, maybe they'd have hit their goal.
As parents, you should communicate back, "We're tired of selling cookie dough and magazines. Why don't we try a bike-a-thon?" or whatever.
Personally, I think a well-run fundraiser can be a rewarding experience for kids. It can teach them how to strategize, set goals, and present themselves in a professional manner. The Girl Scouts call their cookie sale "The #1 Entrepreneurial Program for Girls in the U.S. http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/the_five_skills.asp)
In the end, you always have the option to simply write a check to the school, then you don't have to worry about how much of the profit will go to the fundraising vendor. The school will receive 100%.