I need suggestions of companies to email to get free promotional items that I can use

[Maureenmouse]

I teach a self contained elementary class of moderately disabled students. I looked a my prize box today and realized it's almost empty. I have no budget at all thius year, and we're just barely meeting our home budget, so I'm looking fir ways to get free prizes for my students. They love stickers, trinkets, toy cars, play jewelery etc. I did collect some Mickey stickers when we were in Disney last month. A few nice people here on the Dis have also sent me some Mickey stickers, but they will probably last me about a week! Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Madison'smommy]

I know when my DD was in kindergarten, the teacher would occasionally send home a "wishlist". One time she asked for little things like that for their little treasure box thing. I believe the kids got to pick something out way to often, so she changed it so that if they got "greens" (good behavior) all week, friday they got to pick something. That way they were going through way less stuff! But, when she asked parents to send stuff, she suggested little dollar store trinkets, happy meal toys etc... I woner if McD's has like leftover toys from when they change their promotions. Do they use them till they run out? Could they have them just sitting around. Maybe they would donate them.

 

[taymaesmom]

I suggest that you draft a letter and then go in person with the letter to stores in your area. Ask to speak with the manager and explain your needs. I think you are much more likely to get donations that way then thru the mail. We do this for a fundraiser every year, most small stores are willing to donate a small item for us and walmart and target both donated giftcards so we can shop ourselves.

I know you said funds are tight but you can get many small trinket items, especially stickers at the Dolllar Tree, I do this for my girl scout troop prize box. Candy is also cheap and a bag lasts awhile too.

For my afterschool group I do send out a letter to parents asking for misc items and parents often send it in. And for lunch alot of times I will get myself a happy meal/kids meal and the donate the toy to my kids at school, they love that.

 

[Judique]

I suggest that you draft a letter and then go in person with the letter to stores in your area. Ask to speak with the manager and explain your needs. I think you are much more likely to get donations that way then thru the mail. We do this for a fundraiser every year, most small stores are willing to donate a small item for us and walmart and target both donated giftcards so we can shop ourselves.

I know you said funds are tight but you can get many small trinket items, especially stickers at the Dolllar Tree, I do this for my girl scout troop prize box. Candy is also cheap and a bag lasts awhile too.

For my afterschool group I do send out a letter to parents asking for misc items and parents often send it in. And for lunch alot of times I will get myself a happy meal/kids meal and the donate the toy to my kids at school, they love that.

She may not be allowed to give candy to her special needs children.

 

[Maureenmouse]

Thanks for the ideas. I tend not to use candy due to one child being diabetic. I have sent home letters previously and I do get an occasional prize or pack of stickers, but the parents of these children mostly have limited resources and are unable to help. As for McDonalds, every Happy Meal prize that my family gets goes into the prize box, but my prizes go quickly.
These children need immediate reinforcement. I can't just give them a prize on Friday for doing well. They do not understand the concept of time, but they do understand, if I do this now, then....., so i use stickers and prizes everyday. Yes, this is my choice to provide these rewards, so it'smmy responsibility to find ways to get them.
I often stop by the party stores and try to get their clearance items. Sometimes I'm lucky and get 20 prize items for $1, but not usually.
Keep the ideas coming.

 

[Karenj2]

This isn't free, but what about getting stickers & small toys from Oriental Trading company? I saw rolls of 100 stickers for $2.50, and a variety of 100 novelty items for $15.

 

[prncess674]

Start hunting garage sales. My sister is an elementary school teacher and my mom finds new in packaging happy meal toys for about $0.10 a piece. I would also search on CL for a large lot of happy meal toys.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

In one of our news papers people write in when they need help finding information or if they have a special request such as yours. Perhaps you would write your local nespaper asking for donations of items that could be dropped off or mailed to the school.

 

[Marionnette]

Vistaprint.com is a great source for free stuff and you only have to pay shipping. I got lots of stamps, sticky notes, pens, hats, t-shirts, etc. for an after-school science club that I helped to run. You can make the return address labels so that they can be used as stickers. They have small magnets that you can customize with some sort of encouragement. I ended up with a lot of great rewards for the kids for only a few dollars out of my own pocket.

 

[delmar411]

have you inquired on freecycle? I'm sure there are plenty of people with garage sale leftovers that include little trinkets and happy meal toys who would be glad to have them gone to a good cause.

 

[Maureenmouse]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I'm looking into freecycle and the other places mentioned. I appreciate everyones ideas and encouragement. my students will be so excited to have new sickers and prizes. there's nothing like watching their faces light up when they learn something and earn a special treat!

 

[sssteele]

Try asking your dentist for sample brushes, floss, etc. at your next visit or give a call. I worked in a dental office for 40 years, and we frequently gave samples to teachers, military reserve units, etc. Maybe not the most fun, but the kids always seem to love them. Very good practice for motor skills also.

 

[kirstenb1]

Our dd receives PT and OT from a private practice. They have a treat basket, and I often see stuff with company logos on it, like from pharmaceutical companies. Like squishy balls, and the like. Also, I used to work for a bank, and whenever they rolled out a new "product" they'd have all kinds of marketing giveaway little stuff. As a parent, I always send in stickers and the like for the therapists and teachers at dd's school. And a request from a teacher wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't know if fast foods do this - don't know what they do with their extra toys, but it's worth a shot asking.

I've been a para and grab things I can find when they're on sale. Sometimes after halloween they have cheap little things for the treasure box. I think freecycle is a good idea and then hit up yard sales.

 

[SandrA9810]

Look for beanie babies. There's a whole bunch of people out there with huge stashes of them just trying to get them off their hands. They might be willing to go a little lower since you're a teacher. But I've seen them sold at thrift stores for as low as 20 cents each, usually 50 cents though.

 

[cathyce2]

Definietly try freecycle! We save them up and donate them to a freecycler kindergarten teacher a couple times a year.

 

[disney*mom*82]

I teach pre-k and we are 100% grant funded and are not able to buy many "extras" with our grant money, my biggest problem is finding food, we cannot buy ANY food with grant money and we have a need to feed the children breakfast and an afternoon snack before going home at noon.

Anyways...Ive had lots of luck asking Mc Donalds about left over toys, they have me a box of 100 plus toys no problem. I also asked our local DQ for tokens for free kids ice cream treats, they usually give me 50 or so a year, papa murphys will give book marks that are good for free mini pizza. Family Video will give certificates for free rental. I too would call a dentist for some items, ask other places you normally see trinkets and things, like banks, stores, video stores, restaurants, etc.

GL, I know it is hard times and hate to put too much of your own money into it. Another thing is if you get ahold of some craft ladies (usually moose lodge or something) they sewed us some little blankets, made the kids winter hats.

 

[dougsmom98]

I didn't read all the responses so forgive me if this is a repeat. I would definitely send a newsletter home to parents asking for donations and give examples of wish list type items that you would like to have for your prize box - explain that they could be brand new or gently used items. Lots of people have left over party favors, or unused toys, stickers, crafts... I know our school also has a district news forum and sometimes people put out requests on there for things they need that another teacher may have extra of. I know I just cleaned out my kids "Junk" drawer and we just gave away two gallon sized ziplocks bags full of McDonalds happy meal toys that had been only played with once. We also have a craft box that I periodically clean out and donate to my kids' teachers when they need something. Good luck.

 

[KY*Figment]

Contact McD. They are good about donating toys that are no longer in their meals. BK may do the same.

 

[Maureenmouse]

Thanks everyone. I'm continuing my search. We have 4 mcDonalds in the ares, but it appears that they just give out their Happy Meal toyus until they're gone. i'm going to Chick-fil-A tomorrow to see if they'll help.