Where's the Fun in Fundraising?

I really just prefer to make donations as I can afford them, and to do things like buy T-shirts, snacks, etc., rather than participatin in candy sales and the like.

I hate fundraisers! I don't donate unless it's cash directly to the source. No gimmicks, candy, trinkets for me.

And why do they tie the fundraising to activities the kids will be allowed to do? What if they can't raise enough money? What if the parents don't have the money to buy the entire minimum? Totally unfair and low in my opinion.

I prefer to make a cash donation since the school actually gets to keep the entire amount. Thankfully, my son's school is getting away from the traditional "sales" fundraisers in favor of plate lunch sales a few times a year. They're able to get donations of chicken or pork from a number of grocery stores, parents donate some of the other foodstuff and orders are taken. Dropping less than $20 to get bbq on a Saturday for a family of 4 is a lot less painful than $20 for two rolls of wrapping paper! ;-)

I'm not a parent but some of my best friends are, so I've been known to pony up. That said, there's really no fundraiser that seems to be enjoyable for the kids. Frankly, as the wallet in the transaction I'd prefer ones with a point, such as a shopping list of sorts (i.e. Your $30 will buy 20 notebooks) or ones that work a specific monetary/results campaign (we need 20 sponsors to buy one music stand each).

Does it take imagination to cook up a fundraiser? A special pair of scissors to cut through red tape? I'd really love to see some of the more motivated parents and teachers trying something completely new. How about those that are based on an experience (like a festival, or selling donated things like yoga lessons) rather than chintzy crap.

Whatever happened to the marathon, where you could sponsor a kid to ride their bike a certain # of miles or the like? I loved that when I was a kid.

I would rather donate $80 at the beginning of the year and be done with it. Between two kids in Brownies and fundraisers, my bank account is tapped out! We limit two items per child but not sure how we're going to handle reaching the 50 box quota on cookie sales for each child!

hate hate HATE fundraisers. I will gladly make a donation, send in supplies, (and by the way, didn't we JUST send in TONS of school supplies? I sent in well over $100.00 worth of supplies for my two children, pledged 50 each for pledge week and we still have to have fundraisers?) this has gotten really out of hand, imo and we're not going to be doing very much. It's absurd.

I wouldn't mind the fund raisers if they actually had decent stuff. Aside from the wrapping paper (which I buy at Costco and is doublesided and lasts and lasts and lasts) the other stuff is just highly priced junk. :( Half the time I am embarrassed asking people to spend the money on it. I wish they'd offer Yankee Candle or Gooseberry Patch. I'd gladly spend the money on a great product. Selling junk is just annoying. I normally just buy a little bit and spend the rest buying from the book clubs where I know the classroom gets books against what I buy. So I'll spend $30-$50 every know and then on books that my kiddo will enjoy knowing that his classmates are getting something as well.

I'm a fundraiser dodger. However, a few years ago, I was hit by one that actually made me grin -- the pink flamingo flock. Yes, the flock landed in my yard. There were 50 or more of the plastic pink birds preventing my husband from mowing. Attached to the bird closest to my front door was a ziploc bag with a note inside, "Call 555-5555 to make a donation and the flock will fly to the yard of your choice." I took a few photos, made the call, put my check in the ziploc and the next morning the flock could be seen three houses down enjoying my neighbor's yard.

I know they are necessary to suppliment money for the classroom but I still hate them. Even the fundraiser for scouts. If my son doesn't sell enough popcorn we pay $75 for him to be in Scouts. Or the difference if he doesn't hit his quota. Not fair, it's like we get punished for not participating.

As a kid I had fun going door to door selling candy bars or such and such. But times have changed so drastically and I think that is sad. It's hard to sell anything to anyone cause they are tired of them too or their kid is selling or they have been hit by 5 other kids before yours.

My son's school district isn't bad at all when it comes to fundraisers...The only thing that they're asked to sell is gift wrap & candy at the beginning of the year. At the elementary level, they do have other things (ice cream socials and such) but they're more "events" than sales.

You know what gets me, is the "incentive" they offered the kids: score 15 or more sells and they'll get a stuffed animal. A small 5-inch stuffed toy that I could find in a vending machine for a quarter. Of course, 6yo DD is thrilled. (heavy sigh)

Well they tell kids not to go door-to-door or sell to strangers. But we have a very small family, the grandparents are on fixed incomes, etc. So who am I supposed to sell all this stuff to? Dh refuses to take it to work (and I don't blame him) and I work from home, so....We don't sell much.

I don't like the little enticements they put out there for the kids. Sell at least 5 and you get a whistle! Sell 10 and you get a whistle that lights up! WHEE!!!

Our school nixed the fall fundraiser this year and is just taking donations instead. They sent home an envelope to each child asking for a cash donation of $30. That's what they figure we need to bring in as much as we did last year selling entertainment books and candy.

I'm hoping this is a huge success so they'll do it again next year! Of course we can't enforce the donations, so if a lot of people don't participate, we'll be right back to selling again next year.

We're not completely off the hook though, the magazine sales packet came home last week.

Locally, they post the kids with a coffee can outside the places of business. As far as I'm concerned, that's just organized pan-handling and sets a very bad precedent. They also have kids and adults from social organizations working the vehicles at major traffic stops. Tell me THAT'S not a tragedy waiting to happen!
I agree with the comments above about getting creative with sponsorship--combine exercise events or yardwork, at least provide some tangible connection of effort to the cash.

My son's shool does a fitness fundraiser. I love it. You can make a set amount donantion or you can sponser a child and pay a certain amont per circuit they complete. A circuit is 30 seconds at 7 stations doing things like pushups, leap frog, or dancing. It is great because instead of buying junk we are encouraging being fit and 100 percent of the money goes to the school. I don't mind giving if I know it all goes to the scool

I know that there are a lot of expenses involved in kids activities at schools, but there really should not be fundraising to cover general expenses, books, and supplies. Schools would do better by students to use the time spent organizing fundraisers and convincing kids to participate on teaching and encouraging kids to do more productive things in their time out of school than sell products.

I HATE FUNDRAISERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I'm going to donate to the school, I would rather just give my hard earned money to the school instead of to a "crap from China" company. There's too much overhead!

Look, a bake sale is one thing. But buyin something I don't want or need and have only half the money go to the school? No way.

tslg_mom,

That is a fundraiser I wouldn't hate.

I think it's so sad the way they get the kids enthused about it all, I don't want any of the stuff, but I hate that my kids feel bad when they don't sell anything. Isn't there a way to fundraise without involving the kids? This is bound to make money an issue with kids when it should be the last thing on their minds.

My dd came home on the first day with 10 dollar wrapping paper, we are not in the finacial situation to spend 10 dollars on wrapping paper. It is not fair to the kids to be pan handling for the school, we live in a wealthy enough area, the tax payers need to allow more money for schools. they should at lest have paper and pencils, a library?

This is funny because I just got hit up by a local 4th grader the other day and man she laid it on! lol "I've walked so far! All the way from the gray apartments (nearly a mile away) and nobody is buying anything. I'm trying sooooo hard." :)

I have a few things against fundraisers 1) WAY overpriced-- why would I pay $15 for a 2lb tub of cookie dough that cost me $4 to make?
2) A lot of it is just plain junk.
3) The oft mentioned cheap-o incentives they dangle in front of the kids.
4) Organization keeps very little, maybe 50%. I'm on a tight budget and if I'm donating to a cause I want ALL $ to go there. Not some company pocket.

I am all for a community effort & a good cause just not junk peddling, especially when it gets pushed onto the kids to carry it out. I feel bad for them.

There are plenty of people willing to donate services or goods for silent auctions, sponsor kids for reading or fitness, bakesales, carnivals, arts & crafts shows, etc. Wish they would do more of that instead.

My DD came home with the first of many fundraisers for this year...magazine orders. Now, this is fine. A lot of our friends and family order magazines, but the school only gets 50%. I'd much rather buy my magazine PLUS donate to the school.

The thing that irks me is she goes to a private school, and yet she doesn't have text books, only copied pages of a text book, because the school can't afford it. I wonder where my tuition is going if it's not to text books.

I'd like to see more healthy fundraisers promoting fitness. It's a win/win situation. The kids are taught that they don't have to have the 2 lbs of cookie dough, and the school gets the money. Plus, how often do the kids end up playing with those stupid toys anyways?

I don't have kids, but we get plenty of kids knocking on the door for fundraising. Here, it's the ever-popular candy bars for $2. I don't like disappointing the kids, but I'm just not buying candy. If the parents are there, I'll ask if I can make a direct donation to the school.

I'm really ticked off that kids are being trained to be salespersons instead of spending the time to learn, read, and play. It's just wrong.

Kids should not be required to sell things for fundraising. Also, door-to-door selling can be very dangerous for children. Our taxes need to pay for what's needed for public schools.

Fundraisers would not be necessary if the government would fully fund our schools. Unfortunately, as a teacher, I can't even get a working computer out of my district, I have to buy my own ink for the printer that I bought for school and field trips are out of the question without fundraisers. Please don't waste your energy complaining - make an issue of it at the next local/state/federal election and DO SOMETHING about it.

Our school started a just do it campaign a few years ago, and it has caught on up to the high school. Basically you write a tax-deductible check and you are done. No guilt involved if you don't either, and no pressure from your kid to sell crap.

My Kids don't do the fundraisers. We don't know anyone where we live and there are so many grandkids that the Grandparents fell guilty not buying from all their grandkids. I will donate money to the school instead of the fund raisers...PTA people, Just ask for the money don't shove more fundraisers down the parents throats.

My son's elementary school would send home a letter saying they would need around $12 per child to cover what they would like to do for the kids for the year and by sending in a donation, we avoided the annoying fundraisers. This year he's in middle school and came home with the booklet of things to sell. We don't live near family and my son felt bad about not having anyone he could ask, so I just sent a $20 check as a donation.

I have been so strict with the fundraisers. My daughter, 12, can sell Girl Scout cookies. That's about it! I throw out Sally Foster, candles, religious school candy/cookie dough, etc. I figure GS cookies are just $3.50 (they were 2.50 when she started), so people can give such a small amount...or none at all...but most people buy many boxes and look forward to them. I let her ask only family for money for all the walkathons in which she participates. She can ask grandma for magazines; it's a tradition...grandma then buys for my children. I buy a lot of magazines for gifts, but just through GS, not through school, where they make attendance at an assembly dependent on sales, and that is so ridicuous and unfair. Now, my son's Cub Scout troup sold religious candy one year (not our religion), so we just gave money, and this year they sold candy bars for $1...we bought the whole box...yet we ended up buying items from other kids, like pop corn for $12. Ugh!

I hate selling things to family and friends. Especially when a large portion of the sales goes to the company. I would rather give upfront to the cause then be paying these companies. $3 for a boxes of chocolate almonds (10 almonds) is crazy. I feel terrible expecting others to pay for this when I wouldn't. There should be an option to either fundraise or a donation made to the school or activity.

One thing I read about Christmas gifts is to make a basket full of all the fundraising items from your kids for Christmas to give to grandparents with a note stating that this basket went towards your childs name activites.

I have always supported my kids' fundraisers. However, this past spring's fundraiser for my daughter's class was turned in late (due to the teacher's mishandling). As a result, we never received the items we ordered. I started calling the school in June (before the school year ended). The company agreed to refund the money. But never did. The school has taken the position that they will issue the refund and deal with the company. However, it is now October, the fall fundraiser has ended, and I have yet to receive my refund. Needless to say, I am no longer supporting my daughter's school through fundraisers. I would rather make a donation.

I have 5 grandsons. Of the 3 that are in school are in 3 different schools.
Fundraiser stuff was handed to me. I had to tell them that I would buy 1 item from each from now on. I cannot afford to keep this up every year. When one looked disappointed that I did't buy more, he felt better about it after I said that this donation was coming out of the Christmas present budget. Maybe they won't hit me up for it next year. :)

in this world of unknown sexual preditators that well might be living right in the neighborhood I think schools should not be sending 7 and 8 year olds neither girls or boys door to door.there should be an age limit. I had first grader at my door selling magazine subscriptions. I just praya thata these kids don't get molested

I hate fundraisers too. But what goes around comes around. I would prefer a funraiser that involved the kids more such as used goods sale, soda can deposit drive, car washes etc. I don't like these kids I don't know showing up at my door with their hand out. This is a school project that teaches how to get hand outs. The only one benefiting from the sales are really the companies who we purchase the "crap from china". Please I will continue to support your schools and activities but use a little orginality! Teach them something at the same time. Like how to WORK for what they want.

I despise fund raisers. I would rather ALL of the money that I give to a cause go directly to the charity that I am supporting. (i.e. Salvation Army, Goodwill). Likewise with school fundraisers, why do I want to spend $10 on an item, and only $5 of it go to my child's school? That is insane!! I like to just donate cash directly to the organization. I determine
the "quota" my child has been instructed to reach, and write a check for that amount. Granted, not all parents can do this, and our family is on a budget like everyone else's. But I can't see that I am spending my money wisely by buying a bunch of junk to "support my child's school", when they only get half (or less, in some cases) of what I am giving!! The next time a friend or family member comes to call, just hand them a $10 bill. It will save you the trouble of deciding what to buy, and benefit the school twice as nice!!

Couple of problems with fund raisers. We have three school aged children. Feelings get hurt if one child "sells" more than another (thereby getting a better "prize" than the others), so my husband and I purchase to make things equal for all three kids. This can be a nice chunk of change.

What I really resent is the school pumping the children up on the "big" prize - knowing full well that the CHILD is not really bearing the brunt of hawking this stuff. This year's big prize is an mp3 player. I don't feel this is an appropriate prize for a 6yo - you don't see children in (this brand) mp3 player commercials. IF I wanted my kids to have this, I'd be better off to buy the thing at Walmart for $79 and call it a day. $79 is not going to knock a dent in WINNING the mp3 player from Sally Foster or whoever. I'd JOYFULLY put together vendors for a craft fair, volunteer to do plate lunches, or wash cars for two hours, whatever. Just PLEASE get out of the "trash for cash" fundraising business.

It is not appropriate for my first grader to be carrying around cash. Likewise, I did not choose a career in sales.

My favorite was when a "Christmas list" for the teacher was sent home. Each child was "assigned" a few items to purchase the teacher. ("Assigned gifts" is an oxymoron isn't it?) The note stated something to the effect of teachers being on limited salaries.
I bet it was a real surprise to the teachers when they found out the positions didn't pay the same as doctors or lawyers. :( Please - it was YOUR career choice, not mine.

Just send me my "tab" at the beginning of the year (did I mention the school supply lists with name brand products only?) and be done with it. Then learn to run your school within a set budget like the rest of us do.

AS a parent and grandparent, I find fundraisers to be anything but enjoyable for kids, parents and those solicited to purchase worthless junk. It seems as though the schools have come to depend on these fundraisers to supplement classroom supplies. My daughter just "donated" $100.00 worth of supplies to my grandson's class. The suggested donation was delineated in a note from the school at the beginning of the year and included a suggested 100 pencils, several reams of paper,etc. Just let me donate $100.00 up front and don't make me feel like a Scrooge when some poor 3rd grader knocks nervously at my door, and I am forced to say no to a teary-eyed tyke.

On Saturdays everyone seems to be out in full force collecting for their causes. In the roads, at the supermarket and so forth. I guess the ones that bother me the most are the parents and kids asking for donations so they can play sports. If kids want to play sports, they should earn the money themselves so they can be on a team. As for the parents asking strangers to finance their children's sporting activities, they should make the kids work for it or pay for their kids themselves, not ask strangers to finance them!

On Saturdays everyone seems to be out in full force collecting for their causes. In the roads, at the supermarket and so forth. I guess the ones that bother me the most are the parents and kids asking for donations so they can play sports. If kids want to play sports, they should earn the money themselves so they can be on a team. As for the parents asking strangers to finance their children's sporting activities, they should make the kids work for it or pay for their kids themselves, not ask strangers to finance them!

Our small private school requires for field trips all bus rental money must be earned. Soooo I buy the donuts, donate the napkins and cups. Then I arrive at school early to sell the stuff and stay late to do the cleanup and have to give my child 2.00 to buy the stuff I just drove all over town to supply. Other parents drop off their kids and drive away. I have just made it possible for everyone elses child to go on a field trip that I basically made possible

I have two son's. One in middle school and one in elementary. I also hate fundraisers because I don't have much family and the one's I do have can't afford any of that stuff, and my husbands family all live away. My youngest son always expects me to buy so many items so he can get a prize and I just can't do it this year. So I made him a deal and bought him the cheap little prize he would have won and I saved alot of money and didn't get stuck with anything I really didn't want.

My grandson sold gifts one year for school and when the woman opened the box, her cup was broken and they made my son pay for it. I just hate fundraisers. A neighborhood school here does walks. You pledge how far the kid can walk. That way the entire amount goes to the school.

I don't have kids so I don't have to try and raise money via selling donuts and candybars. I do however pay taxes to send other peoples children to school. Where is the dough i paid in to buy text books and art supplies? I believe money is being misused. All children should have to bring to school is paper and pencils until they get into algebra and need a protractor.

I totally hate fundraising! I have 2 elementary school aged kids and not enough family members to go around to buy stuff so it makes it very hard that they fight each other just to get 1 sale. Most of the prizes are worth less than the stuff in the catalog. I HATE IT!!!

I dont mind the dollar candy that all the money goes straight to the school but its so hard to sell high priced items people dont really need door to door so the same family and friends get hit up all the time!I really feel guilty now i have 2 in the same school.

My kid's school had alot of fundraisers (every year was See's Candy, cookie dough, car wash, etc). So our CPTA took the initiative and organized a Walk-a-thon...a one-day event, the school keeps all the money (minus expenses), its tons of work, it takes all students to participate and all parents to volunteer to help, brings the entire school-community together, its healthy and fun. Bottom line: raises $50k+ in one day. This year will be our fourth walk-a-thon...its well worth the effort.

I am soooo tired of fundraisers! The same faces who work the fundraisers are the same ones buying the stuff. Up until a year or so ago, a good amount went to taxi's, babysitting and other things our principal thought was needed for students who's parents give neither time or money. Now if the PTO was a social service entity, I could see it and of course we want to cover field trips for those who can't pay. But to be 'expected' to give money and time for things that don't even go to my child...well, I know longer give money. I volunteer my time both in the school and in doing a school wide weekly e-letter. I think that's enough....

I am a parent of three children & (one grandchild), all graduated from high school & college. What part of fundraiser don't you understand? Our schools NEED money to provide the "extras" that our school systems can't provide. It would be great if every parent would donate money at the beginning of the school year but that would never happen so thats where the fundraisers come into play. Being on many PTA boards I understand this. Parents need to become involved with their childrens schools.

Public schools may not need fundraisers but private Christian schools do!!! Tuition is our only income and when that's not paid there's not enough money to pay teacher salaries much less bills. Fundraisers keep our school open!!! Why do I have to pay school tax to a public school system that my children will never enter?!!! Why will our government not allow school vouchers to be used on private Christian schools???!!!! THANKS TO OUR GOVERNMENT, FUNDRAISERS ARE ALL WE HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have 51 students and our playground has 2 swings and 1 slide!! Maybe someday, IF PEOPLE WOULD ACTUALLY BUY STUFF FROM OUR CHILDREN, they can have a halfway decent playground!!!! Consider the fact that you don't always know the whole story and reason behind a fundraiser before you blow off a child and bad mouth their school!!

I think it would be easier just to donate straight to the school. I was on the parent teacher league and these fundraisers give very little product and very little profit to the school. I think if everyone just donated a certain amount directly to the school they would make more money and it would end up costing the parents less in the long run. I always end up buying a lot of JUNK so my kid can have that certain prize... Last time I skipped the fundraiser... donated money to the school and went and bought my kid a prize that he would of gotten had he actually sold the stuff. I ended up spending less money and didn't have to bother friends and family with the brochure. The only fundraiser "I" want to see at my door are girlscout cookies.. gotta love those thin mints! ;)

cher

Yes, I hate traditional fundraisers! My son actually comes home with the package & announces "it's going to the recycle pile, Mom!" There is such a better way!!! If schools, teachers, parents & kids used the same energy & time in the Squidoo/MissionFish formula, funds could be raised quickly & the environment could be saved untold resources. Try it out for yourself & your charity. Schools are going to be forced to find new sources of revenue as funding becomes tighter every year. We're in a global environment so why not raise funds with the entire world as your buyer! This can be a learning experience, a fantastic adventure & raise more money than selling door to door to your tired neighbors & family who still have the stuff from last year. The best part is Squidoo is FREE & MissionFish lets you register for FREE then anyone in the world can hold an auction to benefit your cause. Make the big bucks this year, have a Mission Competition, make raising funds FUN!

I understand the need for schools to raise extra $$ for purchasing extras for the school. Our tax $$ are spread so thin across the board for scholls, libraries, fire, police, roads, etc.; spending $$ on a playground for your school is not necessarily a priority for the school district. The special fundraising events like bake sales, dinners, etc. have nearly become a thing of the past with so many school boards being afraid of being sued over who ate what. Plus, far too many parents don't show up to fundraising "events" for them to raise $$ efficiently. All that being said, I HATE FUNDRAISERS! I prefer to contribute my time and special items from the teachers' wish lists. I don't want to burn out friends and family (who have their own children doing the same thing) so we just do the scout fundraisers. I don't worry about any quotas; again I contribute my time and other incidentals to the group.

I refuse to participate with school fundraisers because our school district has the highest taxes in our state and the schools have proved they cannot handle money well. There are so many other ways that money can be raised. They actually sent out surveys to parents and found they would rather donate money at the beginning of the year but the system never did that they continue to do the fundraisers. Our sons youth group do dinner theaters or dessert theaters once or twice a year and they also have weekends that they do fall or spring cleanup for people who in turn donate what they can. These kids learn alot through helping others or working as a group while earning money for fun things. The worst is the prizes these fundraisers dangle and unfortunately too many kids get left out because their family cannot afford to buy enough. Talk about a self esteem problem for them, not only can they not sell alot but then they are punished for that by not getting a prize/treat for their effort.

Why can't the people with the money just share some of their gifts with the schools so that our country's future (as in kids) wouldn't have to be left behind! Some of us are not able to go without a few dollars now and then!!! Quit being so greedy!!!!

I am beginning to hate these more each year. I have a 12 and 6 yr. old and they both came home with packets the same week. Also, the 6 yr. old came home with 3 fundraisers in the past 2 weeks. I thought this was ridiculous. If there is going to be more the one fundraiser, then at least spread them out through the school year. Besides if you are lower income, have few family members, feel it is unsafe for children to sell door-to-door, and co-workers have kids themselves who are you suppose to sell to? I really wish the schools would find another way. Some of the ideas of just donating money would be a better solution. My boyfriend took one of the fundraiser books to work and was told by several co-workers that the items were just so over priced. I also, agree with the complaints about the hyped-up prizes. I may just send these books back to the school with a note that we will not participate but, here is a donation. Maybe if enough parents do this the schools and parent organizations will get a clue.

I have 3 kids, one in each high school, jr high, and elementary. So for me, the kids have a third party fund raiser once a month. I dont participate in any of them except one. My youngest daughter's school participates in the Boxtops for Education program and she always cuts the boxtops off of products we already buy. The school sends in the boxtops and then a check is sent directly to the school for the full amount.

I have four children and recently we had so many things we were selling I think people were starting to run when we came by! My youngest three were selling cookie dough for elementary, my oldest was selling Magazine subscr. for middle school, my son was selling popcorn for bscouts and my daughters are now selling candy and mag. subscr. for gscouts. On top of that both schools have taken pictures we paid for and my oldest's school is already taking yearbook orders. Add that to the money we spent to buy school supplies adn snacks for scouts and PTA's its a wonder we're not completely broke. Don't get me wrong I love all the involvement but it can really put a dent in your pocketbook.

Hi I may have a solution to the fundraising nightmare. I work for a profesional fundraiser and we help raise money for MA and NH schools and youth groups by running year long book donation fundraisers. The hardest part is getting permission from the school because it does involve placing a large book dontaion container in the parking lot, but after that it just sustains itself. Once the container fills you let us know, we send our drivers to empty it and you get a check, then its ready to fill up again. if anyone wants more info on this feel free to call or email me. (978)664-6555×14 or abby@gotbooks.com
www.gotbooks.com

Between Christmas fundraiser and BoyScouts selling popcorn is crazy in this day and age. Schools should stop wasting money and the Boy Scouts should start selling cookies at $3.50 a box like the girl scouts. Who wants $13.00 -$65.00 worth of popcorn. And it taste terrible.

Fundraiser are a way to support your kids, and the school. The school getting half the money sounds pretty good. Every little bit helps.

Ask your school where the money is going, HOW MUCH it's inflated beyond their control. Remember the price of everything is going up and up. Set a good example for your kids and if can't afford to give of your money ( I speak from experience after going through a three year long year divorve and custody battle which almost killed me financially, emotionally, and physically) then give of your time. Just do something, anything. Let your kid know you think involvement is inportant, because it is.

Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies! I've been annoyed about this since my son was in PRESCHOOL and they were sending home fundraisers! Can you imagine??!!!!
What happened to our "old school" ways of having bake sales, car washes, little kid/PTA made carnivals, putting a play or talent show???? Parents, familes, even neighbors and folks around our towns are MUCH more likely to participate in these.
I don't think I'm being old fashioned, it's just so much more fun and community oriented than peddling wares door to door to virtual strangers. Or from laying the guilt trip on people you know. I'm so happy to see the others of you that feel this way.
Oh and if you want to do away with the book orders, if you live anywhere near Scholastic, they have Warehouse sales and you can fill up a huge box full of new books for $20! Also, you could hold book swaps. Good Luck! : )

I too am overextended on fundraisers! I have three children in the same school plus girl scouts and sports. I wish the school/activity would just ask for a donation from the parents instead of these time consuming nightmares where my friends run when they see me coming! I am the one who ends up soliciting donations-collecting the money, and distributing the product and I do not have the time to do so.
I also would like to know who decided that school pictures should be twice a year-it was only once a year when i was young and with three kids in school it is costly and with a divorce pending it is strangling my budget-but how do you tell the kids they cant have their pictures to give out?

I am surprised and not surpised all at the same time. Everyone is whining about the fundraisers... Who goes to the meetings to see where the money is going? Who is volunteering out there to do the work? I am active in several organizations and I end up being the person to ask for participation. Boy Scouts - 70% goes to the local organizations. About 30-35% to the scout troop / pack and the rest to the council. Why? Because it used to be government and private company funded and now it isn't. Why do your local scouts need it? Some get charged for meeting places, etc. Equipment for the boys, training for the leaders, BACKGROUND checks on the leaders. For sports, it goes to the insurance on the fields, the seeding, the insurance on the kids, the leagues. For schools, it is for computers, equipment. If taxes go up, it is complaints, if it is by donation it is complaints. I'm sorry, but, if my children have to help I make sure to know why. It is difficult but I want the best for all "our" kids!

i am soooo tired of the fundraisers!!!! i never ask family members to purchase and most certainely never buy my childrens way to a chinsy little prize. first off i can't afford it and my family neither. i know that schools need money, but on top of the fundraisers, book faires, fall festivals, class parties and end of the year teacher gifts etc, i had to also donate (on the first day of school) toilet paper, paper towels, plastice baggies, binder paper, glue and glue sticks, scissors, pens, pencils, homework folders and so and so on!!! i feel like there is no break. i want to support, but i feel as if i am being taken advantage sometimes. i would be happy with everything else if i just didn't have to deal with the fundraisers.

In the past, I bought fundraiser products out of guilt. It's usually stuff that I don't want or candy that I WANT but don't NEED. The only fundraiser that I can happily support and even enjoy is a travel club. The school earns at least $100 per membership and they have great trips! My family took a 5-day Carnival cruise to the Caribbean for only $55 per person (base price). It's great to find a product that we can really enjoy and know that the school is profiting from it.

As much as I dislike pushing fundraisers on people and them onto me. I, being Vice President of Fundraising for three years at my daughters middle school, know full well how vitally important they are to the schools. They are not fun to head up either, but we all do what we can and that is the most anyone can expect. Someone made mention of just making donations to a school/organization. Well, my co-chair and I did just that and raised $5,000 within 2 weeks. We did it by offering raffle tickets to those who gave a certain amount of $. We found that this was more successful (and easier to do) than any other fundraiser out there. We weren't receiving just 50% of the money either it was 100%. For those who hate the staple fundraisers, if you can get active and come up with creative ideas of things to do (tiered membership, collecting donations and selling them with a raffle or through a silent auction, eBay has a fundraising section called MissionFish,etc.)it will make you and others grateful!

Most of the fundraisers aren't for the SCHOOL people, it's for the PTA!!! For those after school/fun/party events that your PTA does. All PTA money comes from fundraising where I am. If we didn't do it, then we'd have to charge enty fees for kids to come to the halloween party, etc, and then some kinds probably couldn't make it. And 50% is a sucky cut- we;re getting closer to 65% easily.

There are many different ways to approach any type of fundraisers.It needs a great amount of personal commitment, leadership, creativity, resources, determinations, a plan, preparation, marketing, distribution and a finger on the pulse.A popular choice for most schools nowadays, is Nestle Katherine Beich fundraising candy for raising money with serious and easy fundraisers. chocolate fundraising does not have to be dull, predictable and boring.

Their thoughts were/are- hey, Jehovah’s witnesses don’t have to say the pledge, the vegetarian kids don’t have to eat hamburger, our kids (who we prefer to go to school to learn, rather than go to school to sell) DO NOT sell door to door.

None us us like fundraisers. But are you willing to let your child give up the fun part of school? With all of the funding being taken away from schools it is left up to the PTA and the parents to provide the money for field trips, class parties, dances, cookie decorating, and even school speakers. Unfortunately fundraising is the only way to raise these necessary funds in most communities. More and more schools are becoming Title 1 schools and asking for an upfront donation instead of having funraisers is not an option.