Fundraising gone wild...

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

HAHAHAHAH!! I am dying about the chick-fil-a application!!!

 

[RedAngie]

Reminds me of when Lucy and Ethel sold raffle tickets to support the Ladies Overseas Aid so that they could go to Europe with Ricky and Fred. Said Lucy to Ethel, "We're ladies, we wanna go overseas and boy, do we need aid "!

Well, at least it wasn't an all-out cash grab like they OP's situation. They DID finagle an appliance store owner to donate a TV set, so the winner of the raffle got something of value. And IIRC, they did turn the money over to the charity at the end.

Don't remember what Plan B was to get the money to go to Europe. Was that when they dressed like Martian women and climbed the Empire State Building?

 

[barkley]

it drove me mad when my kids attended private daycare, then k-8th at private schools that did constant fundraising sales/fee for entry events/higher priced 'special lunch days' (low cost cold delivery pizza sold at a massive profit or the $1 menu items from taco bell resold to the kids for $3 each), monetary 'love gift' collections at every choir/band/graduation/sporting event they held. it was just too much.

I finally had enough of it so I went to one of the quarterly pto meetings that I knew the top board members of the school would be attending for a question and answer section. when the time came to ask I immediately threw my hand in the air and asked 'why do we do all these fundraisers?', I was told it was b/c the schools needed the extra funds for field trips, activities and to some extent to acquire newer classroom equipment. I responded with 'how far in advance are field trips and activities planned out b/c it seems to me we always know in our current grade what our student will be doing and when in their next grade, and along those lines how often are we looking to have to upgrade our classroom equipment-there has be some kind of industry standard'.

I got a bunch of techno babble thrown at me about the known costs and budgeting and projected needs but how the school just couldn't afford it with the current tuition and fees schedule in place. didn't even take a second to think about it before I said 'well then, why don't you crunch your numbers each year and figure out what the maximum amount you need for this is-then bundle the cost across the board in the form of increased tuition. the looks I got from the board members and pto leaders were like-'NO,NO,NO-WE CANT RAISE OUR TUITION, WE WANT IT TO BE AFFORDABLE FOR THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN THE AREA WE SERVE'-my response was 'it's not affordable-it's bait and switch, you are putting into contracts that tuition equals x amount of dollars per years but leaving out that there are mandatory fundraising activities that require student families to kick in several hundreds of dollars per year more-hasn't it caught your attention when we always lose a small chunk of students through disenrollment when these extra expenses become known to their parents? if it costs for EVERYTHING $$$$$ per year then tell it like it is, spell it out and people can look to see if they can afford the monthly payments, but don't tell them it only costs $$$$ per year and turn around starting the first week of school sending the kids home with fund raising materials they are mandated to sell a minimum amount on-it blows up a person's budget, and allot of parents of kids in private schools are already struggling to afford the tuition, the books, the uniforms........if they know up front what a cost is then they can evaluate if they can manage it and incorporate it into their family budgets.

loud round of applause from the gathered parents, mostly scowls from the board members-it did make a difference to some extent though b/c the next time when the enrollment packets came out tuition had been raised a bit AND there was now a moderate mandatory fee that was earmarked for all the activities, field trips and upgrading classroom equipment. it was pointedly written such that it would be an experiment for 1 school year to (1) see if enough funds could be collected, and (2) determine parental desire to do this or return to traditional fundraising.

after the first year that school never did fundraising again (and their enrollment held steady).

 

[barkley]

as far as 'mission trips' go I'm pretty particular on what I will contribute to-and they are few and far between.

we have several now young adults in our family ALL of whom either felt it their 'calling' or right to get to do a mission trip during college. 3 did shorter term 6 month or less placements, while 2 spent 2 years in the countries they went to with one of these then doing an 8 week program in yet another country.

the massive amounts of monies they solicited from friends, family and others was obscene but understandable when presented as to how it had to cover their airfare (there/back-and if they were to do a 2 year stint 2 more round trip tickets so they could 'go home' for a few weeks twice to spend with their families, food, appropriate clothing....). what for me wasn't/still isn't understandable was when we would get one of their constant group emails that detailed their 'works'-and how they were teaching young children who couldn't read or write in their own native language 'conversational english', math, writing and reading-again, all in English. these were kids in REMOTE areas where the only English speakers they were likely to encounter were other missionaries. just makes no sense to me. we also got emailed letters soliciting funds for different projects-and the letters would be filled with photos the missionary kids had taken when the 'went to play with the kids at the local orphanage' (not work there-they never did, they just went to play with the kids, hand out some candy and religious chachkis). the letters would tell about how just a few hundred dollars in total collections could provide phenomenally improved living conditions for the people in these remote areas......

all I could think was how much more phenomenal improvement could have been realized if instead of the tens of thousands these missionary kids raised to go to these place was instead raised and directly sent to agencies in place there for direct use with the inhabitants.

when I end up seeing photos posted on facebook or in printed albums at the proud parent's homes that are largely filled with photos of their kids doing what are clearly staged shots holding orphans, handing out candy to kids/scriptures to parents, but the bulk are from inside their air conditioned travel busses traveling to whatever depressed area is closest to the next 'must see' tourist destination (and lots of photos of those tourist destinations) it becomes very clear to me that any funds I can afford to donate would do much better going directly to those in need.

 

[sam_gordon]

My DD has taken two mission trips with her church over spring break. They spent a couple days building chicken coops, a day leading a vacation bible school at a church, and a day at an infirmary talking to patients. They had one "fun" day at the beach. The church does the "envelope" thing. 100 envelopes with the numbers 1-100 on it. If you take the envelope with the number 1 on it, you're expected to put $1 (can put more) in the envelope and return it. If you take the 55 envelope, you're expected to put $55 (or more) in the envelope and return it.

That being said, I don't think work email should be used to solicit donations to ANYTHING (GS Cookies, mission trips, band boosters, etc). I like the way my workplace does it. There's an area in our break room where fundraisers (order forms, etc) can be left. Then employees can decide on their own without people standing over them. I brought a fundraiser in ONE time. Selling candy bars for $1. I left the candy and an envelope in the designated area. I ended up losing money because someone took candy and didn't leave money (we generally have a trustworthy group).

 

[NHdisneylover]

I understand not everyone can afford things--and really I want kids from less affluent backgrounds to still get to do things like band trips or whatnot---but I think there are better ways to raise funds than just, well, begging (or demanding as the case may be).

I am OK with groups selling things--preferably something I actually want for a fair price (for me that can include some of the Tupperware fundraisers, girl scout cookies, and always SCRIP gift cards for places I shop anyway), or snacks (bake sale) made by the kids and sold at an event where i am likely to want a snack, or well crafted hand made items sold by the kids (birdhouses, etc).

For teens--I really prefer them offering some sort of service in exchange for funds--signing up to work as vendors at a local stadium, or running a car wash,setting up a fun evening for kids and offering a parent's night out, etc.

Our church's youth group in Michigan did car washes---the first Sunday of the month, if you wanted your car washed you left it in the line up with the keys and a donation in it, and by the time services were out your car was clean and parked (by the adult advisers who had keys for pick up down by the coffee in the basement after services). It was fabulous!


Even then, I probably would not support the kind of trip that involves offering low skill "service" in impoverished areas instead of hiring locals. A visit to see another culture? Sure--I am very good with that. But show up to be some sort of "saviour" and increase the feeling that people need the west to come around and do things for them, instead of helping them help themselves--nope, not interested in perpetuating that.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Nice post barkley. I can't add anymore do to posting guidelines however you get the picture.

 

[Mizzoufan]

I'd gladly contribute to anyone who is going on a mission trip.

 

[sk!mom]

My DD has taken two mission trips with her church over spring break. They spent a couple days building chicken coops, a day leading a vacation bible school at a church, and a day at an infirmary talking to patients. They had one "fun" day at the beach. The church does the "envelope" thing. 100 envelopes with the numbers 1-100 on it. If you take the envelope with the number 1 on it, you're expected to put $1 (can put more) in the envelope and return it. If you take the 55 envelope, you're expected to put $55 (or more) in the envelope and return it.
.

I'm just speechless that this a thing and not just a one off that my friend thought of. It's just better to me if the parents pay for the opportunities or the kids work to earn it.

Plus, if they really wanted to help an impoverished area, wouldn't it have been more helpful to send the money so that a local, who needed work, could have built the chicken coops? Especially since I'm assuming that since these kids didn't have any skills that they could use to earn money for the trip, they likely lacked the skills to build anything effectively.

I understand not everyone can afford things--and really I want kids from less affluent backgrounds to still get to do things like band trips or whatnot---but I think there are better ways to raise funds than just, well, begging (or demanding as the case may be).

I am OK with groups selling things--preferably something I actually want for a fair price (for me that can include some of the Tupperware fundraisers, girl scout cookies, and always SCRIP gift cards for places I shop anyway), or snacks (bake sale) made by the kids and sold at an event where i am likely to want a snack, or well crafted hand made items sold by the kids (birdhouses, etc).

For teens--I really prefer them offering some sort of service in exchange for funds--signing up to work as vendors at a local stadium, or running a car wash,setting up a fun evening for kids and offering a parent's night out, etc.

Our church's youth group in Michigan did car washes---the first Sunday of the month, if you wanted your car washed you left it in the line up with the keys and a donation in it, and by the time services were out your car was clean and parked (by the adult advisers who had keys for pick up down by the coffee in the basement after services). It was fabulous!


Even then, I probably would not support the kind of trip that involves offering low skill "service" in impoverished areas instead of hiring locals. A visit to see another culture? Sure--I am very good with that. But show up to be some sort of "saviour" and increase the feeling that people need the west to come around and do things for them, instead of helping them help themselves--nope, not interested in perpetuating that.

Yes, yes, yes! My kids did all kinds of trips growing up and they helped out with the working fundraisers because I truly wanted those kids who couldn't afford the band trip to WDW to get to go with those who had more affluent parents. We never did any kind of asking for a hand out. They did bake sales, car washes, dinner theaters, etc...

 

[verleniahall]

Put a Chick-fil-A job application in the envelope.

 

[Disney Dynamite]

Admittedly, I'm a sucker for kids (high school age or younger) who are fundraising, but adults begging for money and trying to disguise it as fundraising is obnoxious and tacky. I can't imagine handing someone an envelope with the expectation that they'll fill it with cash for me. Why should anyone be expected to fund non-necessities for another adult? I have a few Facebook friends who are always begging for money and "sponsors" for weekend mission trips. However, the only pics they ever post of themselves on these mission trips are of them doing fun or touristy things. Why is there an expectation for other people to fund that?

 

[okeydokey]

The envelope idea is beyond ridiculous. The audacity to ask someone to randomly draw and then get stuck giving a donation up to 100! Thank goodness this is not popular where I am. I would refuse to even take a chance.

 

[mrsv98]

Oh I had a good one. I run an office and one day when everyone was out, I went to the bathroom and forgot to close the door into the office (not the bathroom door, lol) when I came out, there was a college aged girl standing there (scared the bejeezus out of me) and proceeded to give me a spiel about the crappy 3-D pictures she was selling to raise money for school. I politely said no thank you and started escorting her to the door. She then proceeded to ask if I just wanted to make a donation!!! Yes, I would, to MY kids college fund!! I mean seriously, you have the cajones to ask a complete stranger for money?

 

[L&Lfan]

Well, at least it wasn't an all-out cash grab like they OP's situation. They DID finagle an appliance store owner to donate a TV set, so the winner of the raffle got something of value. And IIRC, they did turn the money over to the charity at the end.

Don't remember what Plan B was to get the money to go to Europe. Was that when they dressed like Martian women and climbed the Empire State Building?

That was a different episode (Lucy Is Envious) but glad to see you know Lucy!

 

[gwynne]

The envelope idea is beyond ridiculous. The audacity to ask someone to randomly draw and then get stuck giving a donation up to 100! Thank goodness this is not popular where I am. I would refuse to even take a chance.

Pick an envelope, any envelope! Gosh, that sounds like a game of chance. I guess it adds a little interest into the gimme money thing.

 

[RedAngie]

That was a different episode (Lucy Is Envious) but glad to see you know Lucy!

I saw each episode at least 20 times, but it's been several years.

Now that I think about it, the Lucy Is Envious (Women from Mars) episode is when a snooty former classmate of Lucy's is collecting for charity. Lucy and Ethel pledge five, thinking it's $5, but are aghast when they realize the classmate meant $500. Lucy is too embarrassed to admit she can't afford $500, so they sign up for the Martian publicity stunt.

 

[donac]

Ds2 was a sophomore studying engineering. He called us up the beginning of Dec and said they had a spot for him to go to Gambia in Jan could he go. We were lucky that most of the trip was paid for through Engineers Without Borders and the college but still we had to pay for a very rapid passport which cost quite a bit of money. I never asked any of my relatives or coworkers to contribute and I would never think of doing that.

 

[L&Lfan]

I saw each episode at least 20 times, but it's been several years.

Now that I think about it, the Lucy Is Envious (Women from Mars) episode is when a snooty former classmate of Lucy's is collecting for charity. Lucy and Ethel pledge five, thinking it's $5, but are aghast when they realize the classmate meant $500. Lucy is too embarrassed to admit she can't afford $500, so they sign up for the Martian publicity stunt.

Bingo! And if I remember correctly the snooty classmate was played by Mary Jane Croft who played Betty Ramsey in the Connecticut episodes.

 

[DopeyDame]

as far as 'mission trips' go I'm pretty particular on what I will contribute to-and they are few and far between.

we have several now young adults in our family ALL of whom either felt it their 'calling' or right to get to do a mission trip during college. 3 did shorter term 6 month or less placements, while 2 spent 2 years in the countries they went to with one of these then doing an 8 week program in yet another country.

the massive amounts of monies they solicited from friends, family and others was obscene but understandable when presented as to how it had to cover their airfare (there/back-and if they were to do a 2 year stint 2 more round trip tickets so they could 'go home' for a few weeks twice to spend with their families, food, appropriate clothing....). what for me wasn't/still isn't understandable was when we would get one of their constant group emails that detailed their 'works'-and how they were teaching young children who couldn't read or write in their own native language 'conversational english', math, writing and reading-again, all in English. these were kids in REMOTE areas where the only English speakers they were likely to encounter were other missionaries. just makes no sense to me. we also got emailed letters soliciting funds for different projects-and the letters would be filled with photos the missionary kids had taken when the 'went to play with the kids at the local orphanage' (not work there-they never did, they just went to play with the kids, hand out some candy and religious chachkis). the letters would tell about how just a few hundred dollars in total collections could provide phenomenally improved living conditions for the people in these remote areas......

all I could think was how much more phenomenal improvement could have been realized if instead of the tens of thousands these missionary kids raised to go to these place was instead raised and directly sent to agencies in place there for direct use with the inhabitants.

when I end up seeing photos posted on facebook or in printed albums at the proud parent's homes that are largely filled with photos of their kids doing what are clearly staged shots holding orphans, handing out candy to kids/scriptures to parents, but the bulk are from inside their air conditioned travel busses traveling to whatever depressed area is closest to the next 'must see' tourist destination (and lots of photos of those tourist destinations) it becomes very clear to me that any funds I can afford to donate would do much better going directly to those in need.

100 times this!

Have you seen "Savior Barbie" instagram account? It's funny and oh-so-relevant.

http://mic.com/articles/141204/barb...antly-skewers-white-savior-complex#.SGZk2MR5w

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/theres-biting-new-missionary-barbie-instagram

 

[Cadiewampus]

One thing that irritates me is when I see little league baseball or youth football teams or any sport for that matter, standing on the street corner with buckets asking for money to send junior to some tournament. Hey here's an idea, How about go do a carwash or something else to actually earn the money.