Connecting Schools With Great Fundraising Ideas.

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One of my favorite websites is the PTO Today Message Board. Every once in a while, you come across a fantastic post that is incredibly useful. Just today, I found an excellent post that lists nine tips for holding a school garage sale. I’ve included the first three in this article, but please click here to read the remaining six tips.

Our PTO does one every year. For us, it works this way:

1. We do it the first weekend in March annually. People around here have come to expect it. Because it’s the first weekend, people have money to spend. March is a time when we at least want to think about spring/summer, even though there is typically cold weather for another few weeks, so clothing for all seasons sells (for now or later).

2. We have set prices for as many things as possible. Jeans for adults are $4, kids jeans are $2, hardcover books are $2, paperbacks are $1, clothing (unless otherwise marked) is $.50, etc. Pricing exceptions only saves a lot of time.

3. Have one person in charge per work shift. That person should be comfortable with garage sales in general and understand that this is a fundraiser.

For tips four to nine, click here.  As always, I highly recommend that you become a regular visitor over on the PTO Today message boards!

Photo by: Eastlaketimes

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One of the most popular posts on this blog over the past two years has consistently been “You’ve Been Flocked by the Famous Flamingo Fundraiser”.

In case you haven’t read this article or you are unfamiliar with what a flamingo fundraiser is, the concept is this: a non-profit, many times a school group, will purchase several pink plastic flamingo lawn ornaments. (By several, I mean, like, well over 100.)

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Then the members of the group will place these flamingos in the front yard belonging to a family in their organization. This is usually done under the cover of darkness, so that when the family wakes up the next morning, they are surprised to see the new flock on their lawn.

The group will also leave the family a “ransom” note, which makes clear the details of the fundraiser once again. The letter also explains that the birds will be removed for a fee/donation of $20 (or whatever affordable amount the group chooses). This money will be passed along to the school or the charitable organization. Along with the ransom note, the group includes a donation envelope that can be picked up when they return to collect the flamingos.

This process is repeated for several nights in a row. All of this is done in good fun, and if a family really doesn’t want to pay up, the group will remove the flamingos without charge, but with frowns on their faces, of course.

Many non-profit groups have tried this novel fundraising event with terrific success. Not only do they raise a lot of money, but they also have a great time planting the flamingos, which builds up a wonderful community spirit.

So, if your school would like to try Flamingo Fundraising, here are ten helpful hints to make it safe, enjoyable, and profitable. continue reading

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The students from Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills, California participated in a fundraiser for the school held on Thursday, November 1st. The “Sugar Spring” was a run held on the school’s soccer field. The fundraiser benefited the school library and salaries for instructor specialists in music, computers and physical education.

The event was called the “Sugar Sprint” because it took place the day after Halloween, when the children had been trick or treating and had been given a large number of sweet treats.

A warmup by phys ed teacher Kathi Stewart began the event. Each class ran for fifteen minutes to music. Music was provided by deejays Jeff and Jennifer Kantor of Gold Dust Entertainment. Funds were raised by family and friends sponsoring children per each lap run.

Source: The Acorn

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If you are looking for a fundraiser that will teach children about the important people and times of the Old West of the U.S.A., Buckboard Provisioning Co. has group of unique fundraising products. Each of the company’s products has an actual person, place or incident that took place during Old West history. Their coffee is called Stagecoach Mary’s Strong Black Coffee, named for a freed slave who was one of the first women to drive a U.S. mail wagon. Buckboard Provisioning Co. is located in Sisters, Oregon.

“We loved the way the fundraiser was an educational opportunity,” notes Jan Silberman, principal at Sisters Elementary of Sisters, Oregon which just concluded a fund drive with the company. “The product labels, the old-time newspaper Buckboard provided to each child and the website offered stories and puzzles the kids could relate to. Our teachers can use the resources on the web page to extend learning on their Lewis & Clark and Oregon Trail units if they wish. The fourth grade teaching team has even served the buffalo jerky and smoked salmon at our annual pow-wow.”

One Sisters Elementary student is being rewarded with a ride in a vintage carriage pulled by horses for his stellar fundraising efforts. The third-grader Andrew Stevens raised almost $200 for playground equipment. He will get to ride in the carriage from the Buckboard Provisioning Co. office located on Hood Avenue and help deliver Buckboard Provisioning Co. products to the school. The carriage ride is donated by Thunder Mountain Ranch.

Source: Pr Urgent

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The Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis Area Dance Marathon was held on Saturday, November 3rd in the Athletic Complex. This year more students than ever attended the event — with 1,056 coming out to support the event. Students danced the with great enthusiasm.

They set a new fundraising record this year, raising $162,275 to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis. The Children’s Miracle Network supports both the St. Louis Children’s Hospital and also the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Funds are used to purchase equipment, pay for renovations and hospital programs to help local children.

Last year the St. Louis Area Dance Marathon held by Washington University in St. Louis raised $123,00 for charity.

Source: Washington University in St. Louis Record

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