Does your child's school have a lot of fundraisers?

**Michelle** · 10-25-2005, 08:25 AM

My girls have been back in school for 6 weeks now, and we just received our THIRD fundraiser yesterday.

I think it's a bit overkill, especially when I have 2 in school now.

**pammy** · 10-25-2005, 08:37 AM

I feel for you. My daughter is in high school, and they have their seperate fund raisers, stuff for prom or winter formal, or even sometimes trips abroad (next summer is Europe). So I get those brought home. Then I have a ton of nieces and nephews from grade school up to junior high that also hit us with them. I simply put my foot down about a month ago with them. If I bought from each of them I'd be in the poor house quick!! A fund raiser is nice and all, but they sure make the parents or relatives feel as if they HAVE to buy just something. And has anyone else noticed that it's usually something that isn't useful or cheap? Grr... aggravating!

**sarathom** · 10-25-2005, 09:02 AM

My dd is in grade 1. Between school fundraisers, skating fundraisers, and friends that are fundraising, I can't take it anymore. We are shelling out money for the events, for school supplies and now, all year long for fundraisers. It's getting ridiculous!

I have put my foot down too. No more shelling out money unless it's for my dd's fundraiser, and not every fundraiser either.

**YankeeMom** · 10-25-2005, 09:23 AM

The middle two each have one in the fall & one in the spring. My youngest doesn't have any. My oldest may have some later on, that is the only one I will be buying from as it is to help fund her end of the year trip

**Michelle** · 10-25-2005, 09:30 AM

Last year Kathryn was in Brownies, and we had fund raisers for that too.

Up until now, I bought something--no matter how small--from every fundraiser. I just can't afford to do that any more, especially since I'd have to do it for 2 of them now.

What I really hate is when they offer the kids prizes for selling a certain amount. Cheap, lame prizes, but you know they want them all the same

**Emerald_Mommy** · 10-25-2005, 10:30 AM

My kids are not in school yet, and they will be homeschooled anyway, but I notice that the kids Philip & I work with seem to be bringing new fundraisers around all the time. We used to try to buy from each kid but now we just have to say no to them all, because it wouldn't be nice to buy from one but not the others. It seems to have gotten worse just in the last few years.

**Dedlered** · 10-25-2005, 11:43 AM

Everytime I turn around my ds is bringing home a fundraiser...
I have now put my foot down as well... I can' t do it..

**daddys3chicks** · 10-25-2005, 11:51 AM

Yep. Katie is in second grade and they bring home the gift wrap fundraiser about the 3rd week of school. I will give them credit - this time they sent a little slip that said if you would rather donate $ instead of selling gift wrap you could. Katie sold a little.
She'll have a couple more before the year is out.

What really gets me is Amanda's preschool has fundraisers! Now, one is a Christian planner and I really like it because the week view has a place for menu planning, grocery list, to do list, prayers and praises. Now she is selling cookie dough. The other fundraisers are generally pizza night at a local restaurant.

The bad thing is my family lives far away, so they don't buy from my kids. And my friend's at church - their kids are selling the same thing.

Oh well.....

**PrairieRose** · 10-25-2005, 02:34 PM

Oh man, when my 3 dk's were in school it seems like there was a fundraiser a week. I got so tired of it, not to mention how very expensive it got. Now that mine are all 3 grown and moved away we don't get hit as often and we only buy from the kids of friends, etc.

**bevjean** · 10-25-2005, 02:59 PM

I'm sick of fund raisers. My oldest's school started on one week and the next week my other son brought two more home. Our friends and neighbors have less money than we do so I didn't want to hit them up with the second one, so my little one didn't sell anything. I know we'll get hit up again at the end of the year and I guess I'll let my little one do it this time. His school doesn't have a PTA so I think they could use the money a bit more. Years ago parents donated baked goods and stuff to the class parties now my son's school wants store bought donations (we're not allowed to send homebaked goodies anymore) plus a few bucks cash. Everyother week they send home wanting a few bucks for this or that. Not to mention both boys want in baseball next season. Here you have to agree to sell $150 worth of raffle tickets or you can buy out and pay the $150 to join the league. I think that's a bit ridculous. I have heard from several people that in the area they live little league is only about $60. UGHHHH!!!

**mom22grls** · 10-25-2005, 03:17 PM

Years & years ago, Ashleigh was in girl Scouts. I hit up everyone I know & all the neighbors. Nuts in November & Cookies in January. Ashleigh was always high seller.

So, for a couple/few years, I figured I owed it to everyone to buy their stuff.

So I did.....any plenty.

Man, I feel like such a heel for pawning all that stuff on people.

Last week, I donated $10 to the music boosters at school. They wanted a baked item, I just didn't have time.

Now, we've been asked by the FFA to raise money. Again, if it's a certain activity, Ashleigh will just pay her way. Or, I'll het Mike's company to donate a little something. We're not calling everyone & their dog to raise money.

I don't ask family anymore. I don't buy something from other kids unless it's seriously useful & inexpensive. Doesn't happen often at all. I don't mind telling them I don't need anything.

If they're little (like *my* little girlscout was) I give 'em a dollar.

Did you know, after a certain amount sold (like 25 boxes or something like that) the amount given to the actual organization locally (and I mean REAL locally...like my kid's actual group) is only like $.79 per $3.50 item?????

So, I just give 'em a dollar.

I like the fundraisers where the kids WORK! Wash cars, rake leaves, clean parks, etc. Not ones where they're selling an item for someone else. How 'bout buying a notepad that the kids actually MADE?? I'd shell out a bit more then normal for such an item.

AND......I donate to my kid's school's librairy fund, etc, every month.....it's called PROPERTY TAXES!

I'm a bit irritated...can you tell????

**Michelle** · 10-25-2005, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by mom22grls
[B
I like the fundraisers where the kids WORK! Wash cars, rake leaves, clean parks, etc. Not ones where they're selling an item for someone else. How 'bout buying a notepad that the kids actually MADE?? I'd shell out a bit more then normal for such an item.

[/B]

I totally agree! And for every year that Kathryn has been in school, the kids have designed stationery...put your kid's picture on a note card or paper. It was really cute, functional, a nice momento. I was looking forward to it this year because Lauren is the artist in the family, and I couldn't wait to have something that she made. Wouldn't you know it? They're not doing it this year.

**kettel6** · 10-25-2005, 05:44 PM

OMG, yes! That was definitly a pro of not having the kids in school anymore. No more fundraisers!

**zakity** · 10-27-2005, 02:19 PM

It makes me glad that we homeschool. My nephews constantly bring home flyers for stuff. I used to buy stuff, but I just don't have the money any more.

**krisathome** · 10-30-2005, 12:04 PM

Let's see...Girl Scouts, band and choir, Spanish Club, debate, just for the school to get money, school trips, etc. I decided that this year I will not buy one thing from my kids or any other kids. It's just too much. I have a kid in each grade level, elem., middle and high school. It is such a pain. And what I hate is the little parties they give for the kids that sell the most, etc. Just exactly what is it the schools are trying to teach our kids anyway???