Ugh! Fundraisers!!!

[2disneyboys]

Anyone besides me HATE this time of year when the fundraisers start coming out in full force? Don't get me wrong... I understand the importance of these "sells" as far as providing additional funding to the schools for whatever reason, and I totally support them, however, WHEN DOES IT END!!

My boys proudly bring home thier fundraiser info (immediately multiply all fundraising efforts times two) and I go into the office today and there are 5 of my coworkers kids fundraiser info on the kitchen table! oh, and several kids were running around church last week with thier fundraisers! (and I'm not even COUNTING the various sports/cub scouts/girl/boy scout ones!) The thing I don't get, is the fundraisers and the schools specify for the kids to NOT to go up to strangers, just family and friends... so what do the kids "take away" from the typical funraising event when it's mom/dad taking the forms to work or shoving them under neighbors/friends/grandparents/aunt/uncles noses to buy something?

personally, I usually just send in a check to support whatever the cause is, but then my kids are made to feel like they are "punished" by not being able to go to the (whatever kind) party to "celebrate" the kids who's parents DID harass all the neighbors, family members, friends to buy something that they prob would have never bought if not for the realtionship to said child. (say its not so!) (and ok, maybe harass is a strong word but you know what I mean!)

OH WELL... no offense inteded against fundraisers themself and I'm not talking about a team raising money for a trip or uniforms or something like that.. I'm talking about your typical elementary school fundraiser... like I said I support the school, (my kids, my many nieces/nephews/ Coworkers kids, friends kids... I mean, if you expect them to buy from your kid you have to buy from thiers right?) I just get so tired of being "guilted" into buying something that I don't really need. yet when I don't participate, I feel like a bad mom! (nasty mom just sends in a CHECK instead of lugging the forms/books etc around...)

Thanks for letting me vent!!!!

 

[anotherdismom]

I'm with you, I'd rather write a check for the amount I wish to donate than buy more popcorn, candy, baked goods, wrapping paper, etc. that I don't really need. Some of my bff's *love* the wrapping paper, but honestly, the school is lucky I'd guess to get a 50% share of the retail price... and then if your student does rank high in sales they get sent home with $ store prizes that clutter up the house... ugh! Who needs it?

I'm lucky though, really our school doesn't do too many fund raisers. Most of it is the big auction each year and enough parents participate that I don't feel too badly about not going. There's a cost for the dinner, then the auction itself and then something about a jar on the table for more contributions throughout the night, so my guess is its a $200 evening not counting the sitter... OUCH!

 

[LAH LAH]

I offer both my kids $20 bucks to NOT do the fundraisers. I understand the importance, but there is only so much begging we can do to our family to buy stuff they don't want.

Plus the kids are always after the "big prizes"... I spend too much time assuring them they will never sell enough to our limited circle of friends and family to earn an iPod Touch. The $20 helps ease the pain of not getting the chance to win it all.


I never even thought of just sending in money to the school.

 

[2disneyboys]

Its funny... Fundraisers are one of the few times that I bribe my kids! I always send in a check to support the cause, but then I usually offer the kids either a little cash for thier banks, or a special treat, like thrifty trip to a movie (we have some threaters that charge only $1-2 per person for some older movies) or a (gasp!) free day off school... I can usually get away with not passing around my boys fundraisers (which then relieves me of the implied obligation of buying from all those other kids fundraisers!)

I

 

[clh2]

Neither my employer or DH's employer allow fundraising activities to happen where we work. Maybe that is something that you could request of your HR departments? Even before we had this "rule", I never brought a fundraiser sheet to work, since I did not want to feel obligated to buy something from somseone else's kid.


We were very choosy with picking which fundraisers we wanted to participate in.

Now - I am more inclined to participate in one if it directly benefits my DD. (I.e. her swim team often does fundraisers - SCRIP, entertainment books etc.) If it is something I am interested in for our family, I will glady get something. If it is something I am not interested, I simply will not purchase something.

There are two families who support have boy scouts, and I will try to get something from each family. (DD babysits for them - and the families pay her very well.) And - where we live - there isn't even a GS to buy cookies from in our subdivision. Luckily - I am well enough connected with GS that I can easily send out an e-mail and get my cookies!

 

[starstruck93]

YES! ITA! I hate these things!! Our DS goes to half-day kindergarten, we pay 440.00 a month... he's 5 years old and there was a Sally Foster packet in his bag this week! I mean, really.... he's 5 people! He has no clue about selling, money or what a fund raiser is! Yep, that went right in the trash!

 

[SILLYANDI]

Our elementary school only does a Walkathon (ie hand over some cash) so it saves me the trouble but at the middle school level everyone is reaching into your pocket. This week alone we had choir restaurant night, PTA restaurant night, whole school magazine sale, band gift wrap sale and (this one REALLY made me wonder) science CLASS cookie dough.
The science class one cracks me up because it is all science classes (ie all students) to raise funds for science supplies- umm. Isn't that something that should be covered by existing school funds, we don't live in an impoverished area? Next thing you know the PE classes will be selling jewelry to purchase some archaic itenms..and NONE of the different groups consults with each other about timing or maybe partnering up and doing 1 sale and spliting the $ between all of them. Nope, we are going to send your kid home with a backpack full of pamphlets, catalogs and flyers and expect you to hand over hundreds of dollars for tens of dollars worth of funds.
I am a PTA board member and I refuse to participate. If my kids choir trip cost $300 I'd rather pay that cash then pawn it off on all the relatives!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I used to get my nieces off the bus 3x a week, we used to joke every year "I wonder when the first fundraiser will come out?" It was usually the 2nd week of school!

I can't stand fundraisers, but I will admit I called my niece this weekend asking if she is selling the Entertainment Books again! LOL The only other one I don't mind is when she is selling magazines for Girl Scouts, since you can renew a magazine you already get.

 

[Marionnette]

Its unfortunate that the schools have to resort to fundraisers but with budget crunches in all areas what else can they do? Do those of you who dislike these activities so much have alternative suggestions? How many parents would just open up their wallets and send in some cash to pay for things like band instruments or science lab kits when they are asked to just make a donation? Ill give you a clue. About sixty five to eighty per cent. And thats in an above average income neighborhood. If we do fundraisers we get closer to eighty to ninety per cent participation. I dont like turning kids into little salesmen either but it at least gets parents to send in a check if they dont want there kids to sell.

 

[McKelly]

Anyone besides me HATE this time of year when the fundraisers start coming out in full force? Don't get me wrong... I understand the importance of these "sells" as far as providing additional funding to the schools for whatever reason, and I totally support them, however, WHEN DOES IT END!!

My boys proudly bring home thier fundraiser info (immediately multiply all fundraising efforts times two) and I go into the office today and there are 5 of my coworkers kids fundraiser info on the kitchen table! oh, and several kids were running around church last week with thier fundraisers! (and I'm not even COUNTING the various sports/cub scouts/girl/boy scout ones!) The thing I don't get, is the fundraisers and the schools specify for the kids to NOT to go up to strangers, just family and friends... so what do the kids "take away" from the typical funraising event when it's mom/dad taking the forms to work or shoving them under neighbors/friends/grandparents/aunt/uncles noses to buy something?

personally, I usually just send in a check to support whatever the cause is, but then my kids are made to feel like they are "punished" by not being able to go to the (whatever kind) party to "celebrate" the kids who's parents DID harass all the neighbors, family members, friends to buy something that they prob would have never bought if not for the realtionship to said child. (say its not so!) (and ok, maybe harass is a strong word but you know what I mean!)

OH WELL... no offense inteded against fundraisers themself and I'm not talking about a team raising money for a trip or uniforms or something like that.. I'm talking about your typical elementary school fundraiser... like I said I support the school, (my kids, my many nieces/nephews/ Coworkers kids, friends kids... I mean, if you expect them to buy from your kid you have to buy from thiers right?) I just get so tired of being "guilted" into buying something that I don't really need. yet when I don't participate, I feel like a bad mom! (nasty mom just sends in a CHECK instead of lugging the forms/books etc around...)

Thanks for letting me vent!!!!

You should check with your school administrator. At our school, straight donations still allow kids entrance to the parties, the school just cannot advertise it.

 

[momoftwins]

DD and DS started 9th grade this year. DS joined marching band. His band is going to play in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasedena in January. It is such an honor for these kids. They are a great band.

We are inudated with fundraisers, but going from PA to CA with 300 kids and all of their instruments is very costly. However, like everyone else, we only have so much money, only so many relatives, and DH can't bring anything to work.

We are now competing with all of the other candy bar, wrapping paper, and magazine fundraisers. Times are hard. However, these kids are so enthusiastic. Every band member will be going - one way or another.

Hey, since this seems to be my job posting on here anybody want to support a marching band?

 

[Marionnette]

DD and DS started 9th grade this year. DS joined marching band. His band is going to play in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasedena in January. It is such an honor for these kids. They are a great band.

Is this the same band that played in the thanksgiving day parade in nyc last year? My niece is in that band and they are awesome!

 

[momoftwins]

I don't think so. We are the Downingtown Blue & Gold Marching Band. We are from Exton, PA. I know in the past they have played at the Orange Bowl, Indy500, and of course Disney

 

[LisaInNc]

I hate them and I refuse to buy or allow my DD sell anything. I send in a check to her school. When kids come to the door I am a scrooge but I just don't want the crap they are selling.

Lisa

 

[DawnM]

The only fund raiser we will do is cub/boyscout popcorn. When my kids were in school (we now homeschool) I didn't do any begging friends to buy a 2" square of wrapping paper for $10. I hated it!

Dawn

 

[littlezar]

My oldest 3 are in 3 different schools (elementary, middle, high school) and they have all brought stuff home already. The oldest & youngest both have Entertainment books. We also have Joe Corbi's (gift catalog...not the yummy pizza offerings), Virginia Diner and 2 school nights (CiCi's and a yogurt place!) I've also joined 3 schools PTA's ($5 per person, per school) and the Athletic Booster Club at the high school. Paid for a PE uniform & football mouthguard (oldest), technology fee (middle) and recorder (elementary). Geez, September is an expensive month!

 

[DisneyKT]

I don't mind them. I buy if it is something good. If not I send in a check. This is how the kids get extra activities that the school won't pay for. This year we had Dunkin Donuts Coffee, and pies.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I feel your pain OP. We have had expensive cookie dough, fun books (kinda like entertainment books - they usually send the entire book home to tease you, this year they just sent home the order form), a walk-a-thon, PTA and of course the school pictures.

My kids are used to me just ripping it up and tossing it out! I did send check last year for the walk-a-thon, but they had it towards the end of the year. Now I am thinking they are gonna have severl this year. It is annoying. I pay about 10k in property taxes, enough is enough. I would rather pay out of pocket for any extra curriculars which they want to do at school.

For the elementary school I do the school pictures, but a cheap package. DD14 is now in HS, and the cheapest package for like handful of pictures was 40.00!! Nope...no pics for her! It's really insane!

I don't feel like a bad mom though or guilty. My DH and I feel that the PTA and all those pushing parties for full compliance are setting the kids up for peer pressure. Hey, if you do this then you get a great party!!

 

[TheRatPack]

I like them....LOL My children are homeschooled so we don't get hit with any fundraisers. When my oldest 2 were in public school I did dread selling the stuff but now that they don't have to sell it I'm fine with them LOL I feel for the children selling the stuff....and try to buy something. And sometimes there are a few things that I really do like (cookie dough, candy tins, books/magazines, calendars, candles...etc). I realize I'm probably not the majority though I actually have to go searching for children selling the stuff if I want it.

 

[TheRatPack]

It is annoying. I pay about 10k in property taxes, enough is enough. I would rather pay out of pocket for any extra curriculars which they want to do at school.

For the elementary school I do the school pictures, but a cheap package. DD14 is now in HS, and the cheapest package for like handful of pictures was 40.00!! Nope...no pics for her! It's really insane!

We homeschool so we get to pay all those property taxes and still end up spending about 1000.00 on curriculum. Our yearbook photos this year were just over 175.00....but that's for 5 children and I got 10 sheets LOL There are always benefits to each situation.