Soliciting funds for "learning experience" trips

[robsmom]

I saw a great example of this subject yesterday. Was driving through a neighboring town and saw some young teen girls on the side of the road waiving signs for a hoagie sale. They caught my eye and I pulled over and my son and purchased lunch. 1/4 mile down the road there was an intersection with a light. A group of adult men had a sign that they were collecting for the township software. They had batting helmets out as you stopped at lights. I passed without contributing. My son asked why and I explained that the girls with the hoagie sale (not sure what team) and their parents had put some effort in (either made or ordered the sandwiches, picked them up, had coolers with ice, tables etc.) and offered something that interested me. The adults had no players in sight and were basically just begging. I'm all for when the battle helmets were fireman's boots and we are contributing to a group that volunteers and provides an important service but not so your kid can play a sport.

 

[M2B]

We were asked to donate to one of dh's colleague's going on a "mission" of some sort. I sent some school supplies, but refused to donate to the air fare etc. The trip had NOTHING to do with work or anything else. The couple wanted to go and figured doing some educational work or whatever would earn them donations. They even had a donation table set up at the high school football banquet because the guy going is one of the coaches. Tacky beyond belief.

My son's school team does fundraisers for team related trips, representing their school. They just did a bottle drive, the kids who participate get the benefit of what is raised. Kids who don't participate fund their own trip.

I would absolutely not send money to an adult who sent out a letter. You want to go on a mission? Good for you. Have fun. But if you can't pay for it, don't go.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

Fallen? Really?, that sort of implies that they unintentionally tripped over a shoe and forgot to start going to church. They jumped. They made an intentional choice, which deserves respect. Just as Christians and people of other faiths deserve respect for their beliefs (unless, maybe you are a Scientologist - I try, but I have a really hard time with respect for that one).

By this expression I meant that they are no longer associated with the church. I didn't intend to start any great debate about the churched vs. the unchurched. It's an expression, and no judgement was intended.

 

[dreamin_disney]

My niece just shared a post on her Facebook. Her cousin is going to go on one if these trips and it was asked to share with all your friends and family to help fundraise this trip for the girl.
Seriously I thought this was a lil tacky. She should of set up a group just for family and friends of people they know better yet save up themselves.

 

[ceecee]

I work in a dental office and we are constantly getting solicited to donate to kid's trips! We have a ton of kids and couldn't possibly donate to all of them. I especially hate it when the mom calls and the child can't even be responsible enough to ask (high schoolers). I know for a fact that one trip they did fundraisers (selling stuff) I guess the mom fiqured it would be easier to ask for $ than try and sell stuff. My DD was invited on many people to people trips and I would never ask people to donate.
A friend got an email at her place of employment asking her to donate to someone's Disney trip because they had so many bills to pay!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I work in a dental office and we are constantly getting solicited to donate to kid's trips! We have a ton of kids and couldn't possibly donate to all of them. I especially hate it when the mom calls and the child can't even be responsible enough to ask (high schoolers). I know for a fact that one trip they did fundraisers (selling stuff) I guess the mom fiqured it would be easier to ask for $ than try and sell stuff. My DD was invited on many people to people trips and I would never ask people to donate.
A friend got an email at her place of employment asking her to donate to someone's Disney trip because they had so many bills to pay!

Great idea! I really need a trip to Disney. Maybe I should just dress like I'm homeless and sit in front of a 7-11 in Philly with a cup.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions and blame the parents, or even the girl. I have looked into similar volunteer work trips ( although not with People to People; I've heard not so great things about them) and for most of them, the way they recommend fundraising is through sending letters to friends and family asking for their financial support.

If you don't want to just give her money, ask if she would be willing to do some sort of work in return. I have a feeling she would say yes, especially if it was the program's idea to ask, not hers.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

I can't stand those letters. I especially won't support it for a church mission trip. I'm sorry I won't support you pushing your religion down a foreigners throat. There's definitely no place for it in the work place.

I am not a religious person myself, but I can assure you most church mission trips are NOT like this. Their main goal is to serve the people, not convert them. They pray on their own time, before or after work time.

 

[Burnedout]

I am not a religious person myself, but I can assure you most church mission trips are NOT like this. Their main goal is to serve the people, not convert them. They pray on their own time, before or after work time.

I agree. I haven't heard of a "convert 'em" trips in years and years. Ive got friends who do a medical trip every year (no collections) building or maintains orphanages, rebuilding in Indonesia, etc. lol, lots and lots of work. Friends on the medical trip had about 2 hours to grab coffee to bring home. That was their free time.

 

[bopper]

My niece did a People to People trip. I did not give her money directly, but I did put a box of candy to sell at work. Her mom made some cakes to sell and I bought one of those.

I see nothing wrong with telling her "What a wonderful opportunity! I don't have extra cash budgeted for this, but would you be interested in babysitting for $X dollars an hour? That would help you earn money for your trip."

 

[bopper]

I'm getting ready to face this with one of my kids ... a slightly different scenario. not sure how we're going to approach just yet.

My child is in high school and has been invited/accepted to participate in a week-long service project in several different locations across the state. Each student is expected to fundraise the $500 for the trip & they are encouraged not to get the money from mom & dad. The fundraising is considered part of the process. Suggestions are given on how to approach local organizations such as the Lion's Club for donations. It's a good program and great opportunity. I'm at a loss on how to guide him on the fundraising, though. I have a strict rule that we don't ask friends who have kids in school ... they're dealing with the same kinds of stuff we are. We have contacts in a couple of the local service organizations, so he is going to go that route. But I don't think he'll be able to raise what he needs simply by going to those groups.

I'm stressed over $500 for a trip that I know will be worthwhile. I couldn't imagine asking people to help pay for anything larger.

Can he put fliers at each house on his block explaining who he is and what he is trying to earn money for and he could list the chores/raking/babysitting/petsitting he could do?

ALso can he sell candy at school/sports? http://wowfundraising.com/fundraising-store/catalog/Dollar_Bars-2-1.html

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I'm getting ready to face this with one of my kids ... a slightly different scenario. not sure how we're going to approach just yet.

My child is in high school and has been invited/accepted to participate in a week-long service project in several different locations across the state. Each student is expected to fundraise the $500 for the trip & they are encouraged not to get the money from mom & dad. The fundraising is considered part of the process. Suggestions are given on how to approach local organizations such as the Lion's Club for donations. It's a good program and great opportunity. I'm at a loss on how to guide him on the fundraising, though. I have a strict rule that we don't ask friends who have kids in school ... they're dealing with the same kinds of stuff we are. We have contacts in a couple of the local service organizations, so he is going to go that route. But I don't think he'll be able to raise what he needs simply by going to those groups.

I'm stressed over $500 for a trip that I know will be worthwhile. I couldn't imagine asking people to help pay for anything larger.

Honestly, if an organization came to me and told me to have my child ask family members instead of mom and dad, I'd tell them, and my child, that that wasn't in accordance with my family's values.

I think having your child earn the money is a great option, and explaining why he's doing it would probably result in more opportunities. He could put our fliers offering to mow lawns, walk dogs, babysit etc . . . He could look for a part time job, or see if he can get a gig caddying at the local golf course. I know my kid can earn $500 in a season as a soccer referee for youth soccer.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I'm not sending someone a check when i can't even afford to take the trip to scotland we've been dreaming of for years . . .

bravo !