need fundraiser ideas

[powellrj]

Since its the holiday season, I would have her try to get a seasonal job and forget about trying to fund raise. We would either pay for our kids ourselves or have them work to earn the money for trips. In this day and age with all the fundraising people are doing, it was just easier to either pay out of pocket or have them work a job for the money.

 

[aprilgail2]

No advice here...other than look no further than your own bank account!

I agree- My daughter is going on a trip with school and I am putting in a few extra overtimes at work to fund it and she is doing a lot of babysitting, I am not asking anyone else to pay for her trip.

 

[okeydokey]

Most local restaurants will not allow fundraising nights to benefit just one child. Your daughter is better off offering her services for babysitting, taking leaves, shoveling snow etc. my daughter went to NYC with the band last spring and when asked for what she wanted for Christmas, she stated cash toward trip expenses.

 

[Nztara]

I agree with having your daughter rake leaves, pet sit, etc.

In addition, a girl that traveled to Europe on a school trip sold fundraising candy - M&m's, Snickers, etc. She sold at her church, her mom sold at work, they set up on weekends outside of local,stores (with permission). There are companies that sell the candy in a fundraising box and at a rate that allows you to earn 50%. Ask if other relatives would be willing to put a box out in their offices as well.

 

[Pigeon]

I agree with others that she should get a pt job of some sort, and save her money. If your family wants her to go on the trip, your family should send her.

I resent being asked to fund this kind of thing.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Okay, I'm going to admit that I really, really dislike these kind of "fundraisers". Nothing personal against the OP, but it seems that it's happening more and more and more--dance groups, cheerleading, band groups, soccer teams, church youth groups, etc., etc. They're all going on these extravagant trips and expecting other people to pay for them. I have absolutely no problem with fundraising for a truly worthy cause. But so that my kid can go on a cruise or take a trip to Disney???? That just seems outrageous to me.

There's this huge business now where the organizers plan these "competitions" and it's really nothing more than a marketing ploy. Yes, the band will play and be judged and come home with a trophy or a plaque. But the kids are also going on a Caribbean cruise! Is that really necessary? If it's a truly serious competition, have it at a local college, after the kids go home in the spring. Let the competitors stay in the dorms, eat in the cafeteria, etc. A fraction of the price and the same competition. But that's not selling cruise tickets!

My new favorite is "canning". Kids stand outside the local supermarket with a coffee can and basically beg for money to go on a trip. Really???? I'm sorry, but there are a lot of families who would love to take a trip, go on a cruise, spend a week in Disney, but can't afford to do it. Should we all stand outside the market and ask for "donations" too?

Sending kids on a trip is just not something to raise funds for. Ask family to help out instead of birthday/Christmas gifts. Have the kids go out and earn the money themselves--not with a bake sale, but with a real job, babysitting, dog walking, leaf raking, etc. And as someone else mentioned, look at your own bank account.

Sorry for the rant---this just seems to be something that's exploded over the past few years and seems totally overdone to me.

 

[stsomewhere]

My son is going to Greece over Easter.
My daughter competes at baton and modeling.

We just pay it. They are our kids= our responsibility. If we can't afford it, we just say no.

My nephews play baseball. They are asking for fundraisers. The worst is an $80 golf outing. I get so upset with my husband about going becasue we don't ask for money.

 

[aprilgail2]

My son is going to Greece over Easter. My daughter competes at baton and modeling. We just pay it. They are our kids= our responsibility. If we can't afford it, we just say no. My nephews play baseball. They are asking for fundraisers. The worst is an $80 golf outing. I get so upset with my husband about going becasue we don't ask for money.

On the plus side 80.00 for a golf outing is really cheap (as far as golf outings go!) we just ran one two weeks ago and it was 900.00 for a foursome or 250.00 per person if not signing up as a foursome. But I totally get where you are coming from. My friends son just did a people for people trip (his second one) and she paid the entire thing herself, she said she couldn't ask other people to fund his vacation.

 

[LadyJayne813]

I totally agree that the parents / family should be funding trips like this.

I'm sorry but it's gotten out of hand. It seems like someone's hand is always in my pocket for their child's activity. If it's not in my pocket, a can is shaking in my face at store entrances and street corners. It's too much.

Why is it necessary for kids these days to fly all over the country for extra-cirriculars?

My personal favorite is a family I know that has trouble making their mortgage, but has two girls enrolled in competitive cheerleading. They can't keep a roof over their heads, but are always jetting off somewhere across the country for the next big "competition."

I know it's not the popular opinion these days, but it you allow your kids to participate in these types of activities, pay for it yourself.

 

[pfp258]

And this is the real issue, we have let things get out of control regarding children and there extra-curricular activities. I agree that you should be paying for your kids own trips or having your children earn the money

 

[Julia M]

My son is going to Greece over Easter. My daughter competes at baton and modeling. We just pay it. They are our kids= our responsibility. If we can't afford it, we just say no. My nephews play baseball. They are asking for fundraisers. The worst is an $80 golf outing. I get so upset with my husband about going becasue we don't ask for money.

My daughter is also a twirler. For her first international competition (qualified at 13, traveled at 14) we did 1 fundraiser. We emailed family, friends, co-workers, etc and explained the event and asked if anyone had junk around the house to donate to a garage sale. We picked up stuff and held a weekend garage sale. Dd made an amazing $600 and a lot of positive comments from people who appreciated the "motivation" to go through some cabinets. Dd made cookies to thank everyone for their donation.

Then dd babysat. It's amazing what you can make on Saturday nights if you have a good reputation for sitting.

Honestly, for everything else (Nationals, Twirlmania, Boy Scout trips for my boys, club sports) it's just been my checkbook!!! I appreciated the help from that experience and the opportunity for my daughter to have some investment in the process but the reality is it was too much to sustain through fundraising. Better for a one time event or experience.

 

[danygirl]

We did a yard sale for one daughter to go to flag camp. The girls were supposed to do a fundraiser. ... But they didn't. DH was off work with an injury and we were BROKE. Honestly she could not have gone without the yard sale - there was no way I would ask someone else to pay!!!