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First Fundraiser Experience

By Melissa Markham on October 11, 2007 7:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When my stepsons were attending school, I dreaded fundraisers. Actually, for the most part I hated them. I hated asking my friends, families and co-workers for their money. Partially because our own money was tight and the way this game works is that you would ask your friend, and then she would turn around and ask you to support her child. Does this seem a bit bizarre to you?

When my oldest needed to raise money for band trips, we didn't do the fundraisers. Instead we went to grandparents and said, Bruce wants to go on this trip. It will cost 'x' number of dollars. Would you each be willing to contribute instead of us hitting you up for a variety of fundraisers. They always preferred to go that route. In other times, we would just give them the money ourselves (buying a few items for our home or as gifts) instead of going out looking for others to join in. After all, if I was going to spend say $20.00 either way, I might as well spend it by supporting my child and not by asking others to support him.

As a homeschooler, fundraisers have been practically nonexistent. We do have a once a year fundraiser to support the Central Virginia Music Teacher's Association. The money we raise for that goes to support older piano students via college scholarships. Every year we have raised between $20 and $50 from family members.

Since neither Daniel or I are in convential workplaces, we don't have co-workers we can talk with. I am an only child, my husband has one sister so there aren't a lot of family possibilities. Our neighborhood has 14 families, but I have felt uncomfortable asking them to support my kid's fundraisers for the above mentioned reasons.

When we joined 4-H this year, I didn't realize that fundraisers would be involved. And not just one fundraiser, but several. Currenty, we are trying to raise money and donations of items to send in care packages to Soldiers in Iraq. We are very pleased to be able to do this and since we can't contribute by purchasing items ourselves, we have approached local businesses.

Today, the kids got dressed in nice clothes. I made five copies of the letter given to us by the Extension Agent and I made five copies of the list of items we were trying to gather. I also wrote down a sample script for Jack to read from in case he got stuck. He has never done this before. For the piano recitals, I have always been the one to ask the relatives to sponsor him.

About 5 miles away is a doctor's office, a hairstylist, a convenience store, a parts store, an auto repair garage, and a propane store. We stopped at the doctor's first and read the sign that they are closed on Thursdays and Sundays. Then we drove to the complex with all the other stores. Four out of five of the businesses we had to leave our information as the owner's weren't present. At the hairstylist shop, we talked to Mandy, she has been cutting Jack and Katrina's hair since they were born. She gave them $20.00. Jack did such a great job making his presentation. On Monday morning we will go to try the Doctor's office and to the owner of the garage (we are well known there). It has been a great experience for Jack and it boosted his self-confidence as well.

As I finish typing this, I realize this is Jack's second fundraiser attempt in the last month. The first was the bake sale with the church youth group. That was easier though. Bake the food and they will come:)

We have another bake sale we will be attending the end of October for the 4-H group. The money raised there will help to ship the care packages to Iraq. While I am uncomfortable doing fundraisers, I am realizing that beyond the benefits of the funds raised, is the benefit to my children to learn how to speak to strangers without being intimidated.

I would love to hear about your fundraising experiences!