Kids and fundraisers-why?

[ADisneyQueen]

Are your kids involved in a group where they are asked to fundraise with raffle tickets or event tickets? I'm not talking about G.S. cookies or selling candy- they are low priced and at least the customer gets something out of it. My DD has to sell 10 tickets at $30 each for an adults only raffle/dinner. I don't know many people around here that want to do that, especially with the economy. I would just tell the organizer that I can only sell 5, but it is embarrassing and she might hold it against my dd for not doing her part. Most of my family members can't or don't want to go- I am buying our tickets and my parents. I hope I will not be forced to shell out $300, I just booked our flights to Disney!

 

[fireflymedic]

I hate having kids sell anything. I have grandkids in a private school and they are always trying to sell stuff, I finally had to say No.

If the school or "club" needs money I would rather just give the kid $5 or $10 I'm sure that is more than they would make if I bought some wrapping paper or candy bars

 

[Alesia]

I honestly think this sort of thing is extortion. You shouldn't have to shell out $300 because you're worried that someone will take it out on you daughter.

I don't participate in things like this. Partially because I usually can't afford it, but mostly because I think it sets a bad example for the children.

 

[daisyduck123]

I'm just wondering what organization this is that she belongs to that is requiring this? If it's a sports team, I'd be finding another league to join.

 

[christa112]

I think most parents are sick of selling stuff. Because basically it is the parents selling it.

I do have to say my kids elementary school did a really good fundraiser this year. Each classroom had a themed basket, they asked the parents to donate items and then sell raffle tickets. I think people are more likely to purchase reasonably priced raffle tickets over a $6 roll of wrapping paper.

 

[robsmom]

I would ask the organizer how much profit the group is making from each ticket and write a check to cover that amount not the total price. if you are not using the tickets no point to have you pay for that meal. I do not do fundraisers. I do acknowledge that if my child benefits in someway then I should contribute. Some of our fundraisers have an opt out amount. If they don't have a set amount, I do my best to estmate what the group would make and I make a donation. No one has ever complained or seems to take it out on my son. In the end, if we would just go back to a system where we each have to pay for our own children's activities, we would all save money and avoid having to buy overpriced junk or food to support each's other's kids. The only winner is the fundraising company. I will 100% allow my son to participate in service oriented fundraisers. I love to see the teenagers raking lawns or even an old fashioned car wash. Teaches the kids a connection between work and money. Maybe we are raising a generation of user car salesmen (no offense to those in this profession) because one thing the kids learn is a connection between selling and money

 

[tinkerlisa]

If the school or "club" needs money I would rather just give the kid $5 or $10 I'm sure that is more than they would make if I bought some wrapping paper or candy bars

I agree. I would rather just give my son the money for the field trip instead of trying to "raise funds" for it. That is the point behind the famous wrapping paper fundraiser.

Maybe if it were a good cause I would. For instance, my son has the "Jump Rope for Heart" thing going on right now. I haven't sent anything in yet, as I am just considering making a donation to the American Heart Association instead of going through the school to do it. Who knows if it will all get there. On the paper, it says to makes checks payable to "school name here PTO". Sounds fishy to me.

I am surprised that they still have these fundraisers. You figure that they wouldn't take advantage of people during these tough economic times.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I just wanted to say, parents in our school are so tired of trying to sell overpriced stuff to family and coworkers that they took a vote last at the end of last year to stop it.
1. stay with fundraising
2. each family pays the amt. fundraising would raise

Landslide victory to just paying the amount and not have to sell. We love it!
It was $70 but split in 2 payments. $35 in Sept and $35 in Jan.

Who wants to pay $10 for wrapping paper when they sell it at the dollar store?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Just wanted to add, there was 1 fundraiser that was fun and we participated. Every year our 5th graders take an overnight field trip to Williamsburg/Jamestown. To raise money they have 5th grade bowling. It's $80 for 10 weeks of bowling each Fri night. A school bus takes them right after school and they're back at school by 6 pm. You have to prepay it all but at least the kids get some fun out of it.

 

[badblackpug]

I hate fundraisers. ...but I think $30 a ticket is exorbitant! In this economy no one is going to buy a $30 raffle ticket. I can't even imagine how you are going to unload 10! I wouldn't mind buying a $1 or $2 ticket, but no way a $30 ticket. I would be embarrassed to even ask anyone to contribute that amount of $$$ Personally, I would buy tickets for my immediate family and go to the dinner, and then tell the leader of the organization that you couldn't sell the rest, and suggest something more affordable for the next fundraiser.

...Now I re-read the OP's post. An "adults only" dinner? Shoot! I's buy 2 tickets and tell her I couldn't unload the rest.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

UGH!!! I hate when my DS comes home from school with ANY fundraiser. Yes, I know that the school needs $$...then ask outright, don't sell a sticker for $1 or ask for sponsors for the kids to walk. It all adds up! In DS' school situation they have to raise $$ because government (not US) is not supporting the school as it should and gives $$ to other schools, but it is just figured that the parents will support the school cause it has been happening for SO MANY years. At this point I would much rather just pay for my child's education (no private schools here) than feel guilted into paying for what should be already taken care of.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

The ticket is for dinner and also you get a raffle ticket for a bunch of prizes they are giving away. I hear they are nice prizes-but still I do not think many people will buy them. They should have just had a BBQ chicken dinner for families- it would have been easier.
Thanks to the person(s) who suggested just giving them a donation instead of having to buy all the tickets. I may buy 4 and donate some $. I wonder how much profit they are making from each one? It's at a really nice place.

 

[bonybroad]

We have FIVE (5), yes FIVE, fundraisers going on right now for my 2 boys.
I am so disgusted. I just threw 2 of them away, I am not asking one more person to buy overpriced junk to support this stuff.
I write a check for the activities, and that's it.
And yes, each boy has the five fundraisers.
It's ridiculous!

 

[ms_missy66]

I'm agreeing with what everyone said. I HATE fundraisers. My daughter recently brought one home from preschool. Hello! I pay serious money for her to go to that program! I would honestly rather they raise tuition by $5 a month per family or whatever to cover what they're trying to raise by this stupid catalog sale. Thank God our elementary school does one big event a year. The contributions asked from the families are small and there is not requirement to sell the raffle tickets...just a request to return whatever isn't used a few days before.

 

[powellrj]

For the last 5 or 6 years I have been trying to get the kids school to accept a donation instead of selling a fundraiser. Last year they HAD to sell 10 pizza discount cards that are still sitting in the drawer next to me because I bought all of them and now I am stuck with them. This is the first year they have let us just make a $50 donation instead of having a minimum # of items to sell.

$300 is over the top unless its for private school which is par for the course. I got tired of having to pay tuition and have to fund raise every week and now send the kids to public school where the fundraising is smaller and no tuition.

 

[EthansMom]

The ticket is for dinner and also you get a raffle ticket for a bunch of prizes they are giving away. I hear they are nice prizes-but still I do not think many people will buy them. They should have just had a BBQ chicken dinner for families- it would have been easier.
Thanks to the person(s) who suggested just giving them a donation instead of having to buy all the tickets. I may buy 4 and donate some $. I wonder how much profit they are making from each one? It's at a really nice place.

Around here, the dinner/dance fundraisers raise a lot of money at one time, but the price of the tickets goes ENTIRELY to the cost of the event. Our recent PTO comedy show with appetizers and free-flowing wine cost $40 per person with NO PROFIT for the PTO from the ticket price. DS's Swim Team dinner/dance with full dinner, dj, open bar, etc... costs $60 per person and only $5 per ticket goes to the Swim Team.

From my involvement with these events, here's the typical expectation of our local fundraising organizations for just one of these events:

Donation of auction/raffle item from family: pref. $100+
Purchase of tickets for one couple: ~$100
Purchase of raffle tickets: $20+
Auction purchase: $100+

Total cost per couple: $320+
Profit to organization: $120 (money spent on raffle tickets and auction)

The thing is, a lot of people get to drinking and having a good time and spend waaaaay more money than they planned on and/or should spend so the organization can make thousands of dollars at one time.

I'm not going to any of these events this year. We donated $50 worth of goods toward an auction basket for Swim Team and I plan to make a tax-deductible monetary donation to the PTO.

My advice, OP, send the tickets back with a monetary donation in an amount that you can afford and think is reasonable or offer to donate to the raffle or auction.