Fundraisers

[SeansMom]

Hi all,
Let's say it's Saturday morning and on of the neighbor's kids, who you happen to like, knocks on your door and wants you to 1) buy food and/or candy like cookie dough, or candy bars 2) wants you to support their team by buying a "discount card", or 3) wants you to support some cause like "jump rope for heart" by the American Heart Association. How do you handle this? I DO want to support the kids that are brave enough to venture out and ask, but I don't want to blow our budget on things I don't need (cookie dough, cards, etc.). Any ideas ?????
Thanks!

 

[Soupermom]

I " 'just say no', sorry". I don't even allow my kids to do school fundraisers, except for Jump Rope For Heart and things like that. I'd rather give the school my time and money than have my kids solicit wrapping paper, greeting cards and candy. I will sometimes buy a candy bar, but that is about it. I would give $5 or so for a neighbor doing Jump Rope though. Good luck! I know this is a hard one. DH and I are both teachers and some of these fundraisers drive me nuts!

 

[KelNottAt]

I simply make a $5 cash donation and don't buy the product. That way I avoid buying something I neither need nor want and the kid still gets a little help. Plus, I can write-off 100% of cash.

 

[Alexander]

I simply make a $5 cash donation and don't buy the product. That way I avoid buying something I neither need nor want and the kid still gets a little help. Plus, I can write-off 100% of cash.

This is an excellent idea, especially since what ever the kids are selling probably doesn't even bring in a $5.00 profit. We sell a ton of stuff for our Catholic school. I teach there and DS is a student so we are always participating in fundraisers. I have gotten so I don't ever ask anyone to buy, and just purchase some things myself, or make an overall donation.

 

[MKCP5]

It's very tough. Unfortunately for most schools, teams, etc fundraising is a necessary evil. But you could spend a fortune being kind! I am in complete agreement to just give $5. or whatever you feel led to. The kids rarely make more than 50% of what the things sell for and often it is not even that much. I would rather just give a few dollars directly

 

[scrappinmom]

wow I can relate to this question! my oldest dd is 11, and I've been in charge of fundraising for her school, her girl scout troop, and her ice skating team. WHat I've learned is that there are some people who really do want the cookies/candy/coupon/wraping paper and there are those that dont. Where possible I have always given supporters the "option" of a cash donation, so far the only glitch we've had is girl scouts. So please make the donation! The kids might be taken by surprize at first, but don't just turn them away, if you want to supoprt them.

 

[Earstou]

I agree with the cash donation! I started doing that a few years ago. After having been a youth group sponsor and also involved with fund raisers for other groups, that was the solution I came up with when I didn't want the item being sold. It can really make a kid's day!