School fundraisers: Love ‘em or hate ‘em?
by sain
It’s that time of year again: the boys’ preschool is holding its annual holiday fundraisers to collect money for end-of-the-year bonuses for teachers. This year, it’s pizzas kits and purses.
I like pizzas and purses, and I love the idea of giving something extra to the wonderful teachers who take darn good care of my children every day — they are worth it. But I hate, let me repeat, hate fundraisers.
Every parent has to do them at one time or another, whether it’s for school or youth sports or scouts or church. I say every parent has to do them, because, let’s face it, the kids may pitch in a little but it’s mostly the parents out hawking everything from raffle tickets to wrapping paper to friends and family.
It’s not that I can’t sell things — in fact, I was a top cookie seller in Girl Scout Troop #85 circa 1991 — but now that I run a household on a semi-tight budget, I just don’t like the idea of asking people for money or to buy items that they may not really need or want. I don’t like making others feel obligated to help out my good cause.
Now, after having said that, I’m a sucker for kids who come by my house or whose parents catch me around town. I love helping a child go on a field trip or pay for his baseball team’s new uniforms, even if it means I’m up to my ears in flavored popcorn and decorative candles.
So this year, I’m 95 percent sure I’ll take the easy way out and just write a check to the teachers’ fund. They’ll probably get more from me that way than my feeble attempt at fundraising anyway; plus, I know every penny of what I give is going to those who really deserve it.
Of course, if you’d like to buy a pizza kit or a new purse, you know where to find me.
This fundraising thing never ends. It gets worse as they get older.
by RaeAnn
What’s the purpose to the individual project? Am I helping a sports team include kids whose family can’t cover the costs? Am I paying the fees for a family who CAN afford it?
Is the fundraiser to pay for books, supplies, salaries or other costs that ought to be the responsibility of the entire community?
During the ’80s, JJ Finley school used the money from Gator parking to pay to have a school nurse. I was happy for those kids, but only 5 part-time nurses covered every other school in the county. My first school fundraiser was to pay for ceiling fans in classrooms- the entireschool had no A/C.
I’m a pushover for those fundraisers, but count on more of them. The dream of many legislators is to eliminate as many taxes as possible and to pretend we have no responsibility to contribute to having strong community institutions.
by TB4244
As a teacher, I hate fundraisers. Fundraisers are used to provide funding for items that the government will not allow. One big example is us being able to provide special treats for honor roll students.
If asking for money from parents wasn’t considered “needy”, then the schools would do just that.
I always get a kick out of students at my school asking me to buy something. I’m a teacher! All my extra money goes to buying paper and pencils for my students that don’t have any supplies.
by Teacher
My child brings home notes asking us how much of something we want to buy for a fundraiser, NOT if we want to participate.
I object to the pushiness of these fundraisers and being made to feel that I MUST participate!!
Come on, stop treating parents like we are kindergarten students without any thought. And we also must push things on our friends and neighbors many of whom don’t have disposable income like they used to.
by Tom
I have to participate in a fundraisers every year for my son’s baseball team. Usually it’s candy bars, wrapping paper, or even emailing all my family and friends and trying to get them to send money. They drive me crazy! Last year was actually a cool fundraiser that sold quick and we used a local sponsor to support the cost. It was with Baseball bracelets, but i think it could also be used with raising funds at your schools. The website is http://www.BasebandBracelets.com. Just thought I’d throw this out there.
Many Blessings for 2010!
by Baseball Dad
Since everyone “hates” fundraisers why doesn’t the school just have a donation pool? Wouldn’t that be more effective? Wouldn’t everyone get more money…isn’t that the bottom line!? I don’t understand why they don’t do that…and who wants to teach a child to sell something when they don’t even understand the value of a dollar! And…aren’t we suppose to be teaching them stranger danger? Okay, I’ve spewed in many different directions but I do not like fundraisers and I hate the idea of dangling crappy prizes to my kids and making them feel bad if they don’t sell in the top tier in order to receive a glow in the dark bracelet! I would rather teach my children to serve their community without the notion of having to receive a prize.
by Staci