School Fund Raisers

**Mamaw** · 09-22-2007, 08:39 PM

I now know it is actually really back to school time! The reason that I know this for certain is the fund raisers have started. I always hated, hated them when my children were in school and honestly can't say that I like them any better now. Of course, I always order something from the children in the family who call and ask me. And I am sure I will order from DGD once they are old enough. I just find the items are normally extremely over priced and seldom very useful. I wonder why the schools can not find something that is at least a bit of a better value to sell. How much overpriced wrapping paper can you use anyway! How do you all handle the numerous fund raisers the school children have in your neighborhood?

**jamie79** · 09-22-2007, 08:43 PM

The school here doesnt do them. Instead they ask for a donation from every family in each class. Yds is a sophmore. The smallest donation is $5 and then you can donate more. I like this much better

**pita1213** · 09-22-2007, 08:52 PM

dd's school is doing coupon books for $12. i bought one last year from a friend and have only used a few coupons but it's already paid for itself. but i hate doing fundraisers for school. i may just do a donation instead. dd is already selling candy for girl scouts so i'm not sending her out for the school fund raiser too.

**YankeeMom** · 09-22-2007, 10:29 PM

Our younger two have them at their school. Sometimes we order (me & my mom). Mostly we don't. It's not a huge deal to the boys.

We don't get door-to-door kids selling either. It's strongly discouraged...doesn't mean kids don't do it anyway

**druidessemily** · 09-22-2007, 10:53 PM

I do not buy from school fundraisers, nor will I allow my children to take part in them. The items are way overpriced, and the schools get only a very small portion of the money earned. I will send my child to school to learn, not to peddle money. If the school really needs money, I would rather just send it myself than encouraging fundraisers.

It's a pity schools don't even do real bake sales anymore. The schools I've gone to all demand that the items be store bought, not home made.

**changed4life** · 09-22-2007, 11:00 PM

I refuse to buy anything that I don't need, so I don't. When the school does fundraisers or does the school carnival, I'd rather send money or give a helping hand at one of the carnival stands.

I'd rather send in money than waste money on junk.

**ravenmaniac** · 09-23-2007, 01:24 AM

I don't buy a thing from the school I teach at. The fundraiser items are overpriced and junky. I'm sure there's got to be a better way to raise money. No one wants to put in the time or effort to organize something else, including me. I've suggested combining with the PTA to do some sort of dinner or collect donations but my idea was turned down.

My dh is a junior. I paid a fee of $25.00 for his art class and wondered what do the people who can't afford the fee do? Now they are going to New York (for the same class) and the trip is $90.00. I can pay for the trip or sell 5 of these ridiculous dining out books. We live in a rural area. Most of the resturants are in Washington DC, Alexandria, Virginia or their surrounding suburbs. I'm going to just pay for the trip myself.

As for the debate as to buy or not to buy, I make a donation. Then if another child asks I tell them no thanks, but I've made a donation to the school. Even if it's five dollars it's more than the school would make off of that mug of stale gummy bears.

**crr38095** · 09-23-2007, 08:40 AM

My kids are in hs now so it isnt a big deal as much anymore. But when my kids were younger I didn't do fundraisers and I don't buy from them either.They are just too overpriced and are mostly things I won't use anyway. And I just can't make myself pay $7 for wrapping paper I can get for $2 at Dollar General. I've always chosen to support our schools in other ways by volunteering, donating my time and attention, school supplies,snacks to classes, things like that. And I don't know about everywhere but the elementary schools my kids went to I KNOW the teachers would MUCH rather have a parent volunteer in a class for an hr or 2 than to sell 50 rolls of wrapping paper.

**baxjul** · 09-23-2007, 09:47 AM

DD has only us to order from her. Since we have no family down here. She gets upset every year, but will eventually get over it.

**Edna_E** · 09-23-2007, 04:57 PM

Oddly enough, just last week I emailed a choir teacher here and suggested that theay have a fund-raiser where people just write theri name and address and the amount of their donation (cash or check) and have the kids write thank you notes to the donors. That way, the choir gets ALL of the money except what gets spent on paper and stamps.

**cherrie79** · 09-23-2007, 05:54 PM

My mom use to do fundraisers when she was a Avon Rep. There quick (2 1/2 weeks to sell AND recieve products) and my mom would give the people 50% profit(what she would make with large volume of sales). The schools always made out really well with this type of fundraiser. It's better then wrapping paper! LoL

Our school was doing those coupon books(not the entertainment but something with Local establishments) and I think we got one book for $15 and it was always BOGO. I don't know how much the school made off but we used these often and was well worth the money.

**coltsmama** · 09-24-2007, 08:00 AM

UGGGGH !! I would much rather make a donation . My ds's school makes it a competition though. The winner gets some kind of lunch with a pro football player. It really makes it difficult to say no. kwim?? I really dislike how the school does this. I really think it is unfair to the children.

**boogiemum** · 09-24-2007, 09:42 AM

I have done them in the past and decided midway through last year I had enough. No more ordering overpriced junk. If there is something that is worth it then I might indulge. So far this year , 2 fund raiser mags went directly to my recycling bin

**guest002** · 09-24-2007, 11:07 AM

My ds's school has already had 3 fund raisers. I had my MIL and myself order from the 1st one and then I told them no on the next 2. They had the darn gall to sent the 2nd fundraiser home the day I turned in the 1st one. It's out of hand. I also would rather the opportunity to send a small donation instead of all of the pressure they put on the kids. My ds is 5 and already was pressured. It's crazy and I think they've already torqued me off to where we won't be doing any more.

**always2busy** · 09-24-2007, 11:41 AM

I have 3 kids in school. They all come home with fundraiser books at least twice a year. I have banned them from my house. Last year I let me daughter sell some items. She sold them to family members in two different states. Then we moved. They school waited months to send the stuff. One item was missing. We never got the item or the money back. The company, Sally Foster, said they didn't have any record of the sale since it was done through the school. The family member who bought the item since died, almost a year later.

That is why I hate fundraisers!!!