school fundraisers frustrate me :(

[surfergirl602]

A little over a week ago, a school fundraiser was sent home with my kids, and of course, it was way over hyped. My middle daughter, who just turned 8 this past week, was particularly overjoyed with it, because the prize for selling 50 items, was a 4 night trip for 4 to Disney World.

Sigh.


50 doesn't seem like much, but when the rules are no door to door sales, and there's no solicitation in most of the housing developments here, sales are hard to come by, especially 50. And, to make it even harder, my husband is in the Army, so he can't bring it to work, either.

DD8 was so excited because she wanted to win a trip for her grandparents. They were supposed to be going on a trip with us this October, but my MIL was just diagnosed with early stage lung cancer, so needless to say, they will not be going with us. My kids are so upset.

I just don't know how to tell her without breaking her little heart that I failed to help her sell 50 items. We sold 30 items. The fundraiser ends tomorrow morning and I'll have to tell her that we didn't make it. I really can't afford to buy 20 boxes of chocolates, or wrapping paper, or kitchen gadgets.

I am upset, too, mostly for her, because she really thought that this would be a great gift for her grandma.

Why oh why do they have prizes like that and then hype them up to the kids so much?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I cannot stand the fundraisers. I do not want to sell stuff. I do not want my kids selling stuff. Everything is overpriced and I don't need it. I'm sorry you are going through all this and hope your grandmother gets better soon.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I know what you're talking about, OP. I think you did very well on your fundraiser. I guess the hype will have to be a learning experience for your youngster. I notice that even in church, the Sunday School did fundraisers to raise money for the SPCA's cat room. You're not safe from fundraisers anywhere.

 

[surfergirl602]

This is the first one we've ever done. Since it was a prize she was really thrilled about,I figured I'd give it a try. I didn't take it to church though, because that just seemed wrong. lol

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

So sorry this happened to you. We got to the point that I would just write a check to the school each year and asked that no fundraiser paperwork be sent home.

I'd be honest with your daughter, let her know that 30 is quite an accomplishment and then maybe start a trip jar. Explain how a little change also goes a long way. Let her know that the school made money on each order and then explain how each time she puts extra change (and you to) can make money for your trip.

And for the record, because of those "assemblies" and the hype of how great everything is, I have flying screeching monkeys (one for each child) that cost enough wrapping paper to last until I have grand-children. On top of that those suckers scare the crud out of me and 9 years later, they still manage to get me once or twice a year.

 

[dislaney]

I can't even imagine how much profit they are making if they can give everyone who sells 50 items a trip for 4 to the world?

I hate fundraisers too! I sat down with my children when they were very young and explained in words they understood why we weren't doing them. They used to come home all hyped up about whatever they could receive by selling xxx amount of whatever. I hate that they do that to the kids.

I did donate to the school a specific amount of money that I was comfortable with and explain that my kids would not be participating.

 

[rodeo65]

I thought I was safe. Our kids' school does not do those typical fundraisers. The PA does "events" that they fundraise at. So you can choose to participate or not. There are usually penny sales, raffles, gift baskets for purchase, vendor village and the like. We go and participate in the events and usually get some raffle tickets but don't have to do the accost your grandparents thing.

Today DD started her first gymnastics class. What did we get but a fundraising brochure and form to be filled in - by next week! And of course the PRIZE brochure.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tvguy]

We did away with fundraisers in our Little League.

We did a couple things instead.
We REALLY pushed our families to stop at the snack bar after the game for dinner instead of McDonalds.
Our board members also hit up every business in the neighborhood for any donation, no matter how small.
A local printing company did our Roster book at cost, and of course they got a big full page ad in the poor thanking them.
The local grocery store chain gave us a $50 gift card to either raffle off, or use for snack bar supplies. The regional chain actually has a foundation set up to help out non-profit groups, they sent a check for $500.
The sports photographers who wanted to take our team pictures all offered some sort of incentive to get our business. The one we went with donated 10 cases of baseballs.

 

[Belle0101]

I'm sorry about your MIL.

I'm with you on the school fundraisers. Blech!

One of DS' first frundraisers - huge Pep Rally for it in the school gym. They showed all the prizes students could earn. I forget the specific prize but of course it was "The Prize" to strive for. It was awarded based on $ sold.

Naturally DS wanted it and there was no way he could reach that amount with the people we know and live nearby. Their school actually encourages door to door sales. He was just heartbroken.

They even give prizes for classroom participation. If every child sells $$ the class gets pizza. Then for every child selling the next dollar level they get ice cream. After that is roller skating. All it takes is one child not making the pre-set goal and the class doesn't get the prize.

I understand the motivation behind competition but geesh ... these are elem. kids.

For what it's worth, having sold 30 is very good!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

OP: For selling 50 items you get a 4 night trip to DW? How much are the items the kids are selling?

For the record, I hate fundraisers. HATE THEM! The kids have an assembly to get them all excited about selling junk, then they spend another day to have a party for the kids that sold the junk. And here I thought the schools were always complaining about not having enough time to teach in the classroom. Silly me. I really am saddened that my kids cannot participate in the reward party for selling the junk, but I've tried to explain to them why we're not going door-to-door or taking the fliers to the church and hit people up there. Last year I saw a magnetic notepad in my daughter's fundraiser flier for $12. We went to Target and they had the same sized magnetic notepad in the dollar spot for 50% off. The notepads were .50. I explained that I could buy 24 for the price of the one she was selling. She got the point.

 

[southern_redhead]

A little over a week ago, a school fundraiser was sent home with my kids, and of course, it was way over hyped. My middle daughter, who just turned 8 this past week, was particularly overjoyed with it, because the prize for selling 50 items, was a 4 night trip for 4 to Disney World.

Sigh.


50 doesn't seem like much, but when the rules are no door to door sales, and there's no solicitation in most of the housing developments here, sales are hard to come by, especially 50. And, to make it even harder, my husband is in the Army, so he can't bring it to work, either.

DD8 was so excited because she wanted to win a trip for her grandparents. They were supposed to be going on a trip with us this October, but my MIL was just diagnosed with early stage lung cancer, so needless to say, they will not be going with us. My kids are so upset.

I just don't know how to tell her without breaking her little heart that I failed to help her sell 50 items. We sold 30 items. The fundraiser ends tomorrow morning and I'll have to tell her that we didn't make it. I really can't afford to buy 20 boxes of chocolates, or wrapping paper, or kitchen gadgets.

I am upset, too, mostly for her, because she really thought that this would be a great gift for her grandma.

Why oh why do they have prizes like that and then hype them up to the kids so much?

Our school does this too (though no WDW trips, darn!) We are the only school in the district that does this one fundraiser similar to what you are talking about because no one else can stand the little guy that runs it. Our principal feels sorry for him......

I notice that even in church, the Sunday School did fundraisers to raise money for the SPCA's cat room.

WHAT?!?!

I thought I was safe. Our kids' school does not do those typical fundraisers. The PA does "events" that they fundraise at. So you can choose to participate or not. There are usually penny sales, raffles, gift baskets for purchase, vendor village and the like. We go and participate in the events and usually get some raffle tickets but don't have to do the accost your grandparents thing.

Today DD started her first gymnastics class. What did we get but a fundraising brochure and form to be filled in - by next week! And of course the PRIZE brochure.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay...I have to ask....You PAY for these lessons, right? So why should they need you to fundraise?

For the record, I hate fundraisers. HATE THEM! The kids have an assembly to get them all excited about selling junk, then they spend another day to have a party for the kids that sold the junk. And here I thought the schools were always complaining about not having enough time to teach in the classroom. Silly me. I really am saddened that my kids cannot participate in the reward party for selling the junk, but I've tried to explain to them why we're not going door-to-door or taking the fliers to the church and hit people up there. Last year I saw a magnetic notepad in my daughter's fundraiser flier for $12. We went to Target and they had the same sized magnetic notepad in the dollar spot for 50% off. The notepads were .50. I explained that I could buy 24 for the price of the one she was selling. She got the point.

Yes, we have had the talk about "This prize costs a dollar at Dollar Tree. If you "win" it you have to sell about $900 of junk to get it. Please, please, please let me just BUY you the prize!" LOL

As a side note - at least they discourage cold call selling. The little troll doing our fundraiser actually (get this!) wanted to set up "mystery houses" that you would get a prize if you called and asked them to buy something. He was going to randomly select, say, 5 houses and your little darling was supposed to get the phonebook down and start dialing as many numbers as possible and ask the people to buy something. Then, they were supposed to give their name/age/homeroom to this person so that if this was a "prize house" they could turn that info in to him Needless to say our PTO president ripped him a new one when he suggested it. He also tells the kids during the assembly it is "your job to sell these items to support your school." One kindergarten teacher nearly choked him when he said it last year.

 

[barkley]

I can't even imagine how much profit they are making if they can give everyone who sells 50 items a trip for 4 to the world?

I hate fundraisers too! I sat down with my children when they were very young and explained in words they understood why we weren't doing them. They used to come home all hyped up about whatever they could receive by selling xxx amount of whatever. I hate that they do that to the kids.

I did donate to the school a specific amount of money that I was comfortable with and explain that my kids would not be participating.

THE MARK UP IS IMMENSE.

we used to live near the "red apple" shipping wherehouse in northern california (red apple fundraising is one of the big companies that does school/sports group fundraising sales). it was never advertised to the public, but if you went into the reception area of the place you could get on a notice list for admission to their once a year wherehouse sale (they were clearing out the prior stuff to stock whatever was in the new catalogs they were giving to the schools). they were still selling the stuff at a profit margin to the company, but when you knew how much the kids were schlepping it for, and how little the schools made-then you saw what they were selling it for at the wherehouse sale you knew the company was making a fortune.


the $12 a roll wrapping paper the schools sold-priced at 50 cents each.
the $15 a tub cookie dough-$3 each.
the "who in their right mind would ever buy that $60 ceramic cookie jar in the catelog????"-$5 each.

the odd little items that sold in the catelogs for a minimum of $7-$12 each-25-50 cents each.

the last 2 or 3 hours of the 2 day sale they would start selling stuff "at cost"-you could get the rolls of wrapping paper down to 10 cents each, and nothing else was over $2 (and this included stuff that was marketed in the catelogs for upwards of $75).

 

[happily single]

Hey OP, I'll buy 20 items if you will take ME to Disney!! Wow, I can't beleive that selling 50 items would be a trip to Disney!~!!!!!

Anyhow, I hate fundraisers as much as the next, but I am active in my school's PTO and can tell you what we do with all the funds (which are usually about 40-50% of the selling price).

We help teachers pay for field trips, thus cutting the out of pocket cost for parents. We bought the teachers fans for their classrooms; we buy copy paper for the school (We are so short in the school budget that the school dept only gives each school xxx boxes of copy paper for the year **typically about 50 boxes) and when those are gone, your out of paper for the year).

We also bought instruments for the music department, a kiln for the art teacher (wihch I think still hasn't been used after 5 years, books for the library, end of the year ice cream for the kids, etc.

So, despite the headache it really benefits the kids in the end.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

My children came home just last week with a cheesecake fundraiser... My 6 yo daughter was all hyped up that she could win a DS. This is a kid who already owns a DS and hasn't played with it for months.

I just said to her "whoa, whoa, whoa...we're going to buy one cheesecake and that is it." We'll eat it at Thanksgiving. I am not allowed to sell anything at work, and every kid in the town is selling the same darn cheesecakes, so forget selling them to the neighbors. So, who are we going to sell them to?

Our community has some poor families. Waving DS's in the faces of kids is a little cruel...for most kids, it will be a goal they can't attain.

Meanwhile, someone is laughing all the way to the bank...

And, I'd rather support a local bakery--now that I think of it.

 

[surfergirl602]

OP: For selling 50 items you get a 4 night trip to DW? How much are the items the kids are selling?

For the record, I hate fundraisers. HATE THEM! The kids have an assembly to get them all excited about selling junk, then they spend another day to have a party for the kids that sold the junk. And here I thought the schools were always complaining about not having enough time to teach in the classroom. Silly me. I really am saddened that my kids cannot participate in the reward party for selling the junk, but I've tried to explain to them why we're not going door-to-door or taking the fliers to the church and hit people up there. Last year I saw a magnetic notepad in my daughter's fundraiser flier for $12. We went to Target and they had the same sized magnetic notepad in the dollar spot for 50% off. The notepads were .50. I explained that I could buy 24 for the price of the one she was selling. She got the point.

75% of them are between 6 and 8 dollars. Not too bad, for the prize. If they sell 21 items, they get a limo ride and a jam session inside with blow up instruments. It's by impact 4 kids, which is a state program that helps children, homeless children, and special needs kids. It's for a very good cause, so at least my money will be going somewhere that needs it. They have some really nice stuff, like local rewards cards with store coupons, and stuff. I remember selling those during sports season in high school. You can also donate directly to the kids and still get a selling credit for it.

 

[MariDisney]

OP, you're saying if you sell 50 (roughly) $10 items you get a trip to WDW? That's only $500 of product and a roughly $250 profit to the school. What am I missing?

 

[surfergirl602]

OP, you're saying if you sell 50 (roughly) $10 items you get a trip to WDW? That's only $500 of product and a roughly $250 profit to the school. What am I missing?

hopefully this link will work. I scanned the prize sheet for facebook. It's letter G.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31724931&l=0ca9d03a28&id=1265941286

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I can't stand fundraisers. I'd rather they just ask for donations and parents give what they can. I'd much prefer Little Leagues, etc., just charge what they need to per child rather than rely on fundraisers.

What does the Disney prize consist of? It doesn't seem like selling 50 items at say, $10 each would be enough to cover such a big prize.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I am wondering about the feasibility of the sell 50 and get a trip to Disney too. It does not sound possible. I wonder if your DD misunderstood and the deal is that everyone who sells 50 items is entered in a raffle to win a trip to Disney

I agree with you that I dislike bribing kids to sell stuff. One thing we have liked about moving to Germany is that there seems to be substantially fewer of these fundraisers (in a year and a half we have had one--a sponsored excercies day at the school to raise money for a school in Nicaragua).

 

[surfergirl602]

I am wondering about the feasibility of the sell 50 and get a trip to Disney too. It does not sound possible. I wonder if your DD misunderstood and the deal is that everyone who sells 50 items is entered in a raffle to win a trip to Disney

I agree with you that I dislike bribing kids to sell stuff. One thing we have liked about moving to Germany is that there seems to be substantially fewer of these fundraisers (in a year and a half we have had one--a sponsored excercies day at the school to raise money for a school in Nicaragua).

No, it's not a raffle. that is what I thought, too, but I went to the school and asked and they called the company to verify. it really is a trip. I was baffled, but the cause is good, so I am trying to help her achieve it. lol