It seems as though fundraisers are at an all time high these days. When I was a kid they happened maybe once or twice a year. For my oldest child, it feels like every week she’s coming home with a different flyer. Perhaps they’re fundraising for important causes with spirit weeks, or trying to get school necessities that aren’t covered throughout the year by selling popcorn, sometimes they’re raising funds for people affected by natural disasters and they ask for monetary donations or canned goods.
I love the fun and creative ways schools try to get the community involved in lending a helping hand. However, it can be a bit tricky at times to determine which flyers to pin and which ones to toss. Though we wish we could give our all to every fundraising event sometimes that isn’t always possible.
With my oldest coming to the end of her 4th-grade year, I wouldn’t call myself a fundraising guru but I have been tackling these things for quite some time now. So I thought I would compile a few ways I get through the fundraising season.
5 ways to tackle school fundraisers:
- Pick and choose your battles. Or fundraisers in this case. We have made it a point, as to not stretch ourselves too thin, to navigate through and decide which events hold a strong meaning to us or call to our hearts. That’s not to say some fundraisers mean more or less but in terms of fit-bits for health class or the JDRF, I would rather give to the foundation for research. The fit-bit event will come around again.
- Sometimes monetary donations aren’t the only ways to help. We have given our time and volunteered on numerous occasions to show our support for the school. Whether that be in helping to organize or by baking treats that can be sold, or putting together games. There are lots of opportunities to give back.
- Utilize family and friends who want to support the kids. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles love to help when and where they can. Who doesn’t love sweet treats all in the name of assisting our children in reaching their goals. It’s a win-win really.
- Use these times as the perfect teaching moments. We’ve recently started a chore chart with my daughter. When she does a job well done she gets money. Often times she has no clue what to do with her chore loot. I encourage her to give when she can. Coupled with whatever we are doing, I think it’s important for her to be involved in the process. Not just by asking but by doing. Lead by example.
- And lastly. Don’t ever feel forced, obligated, or guilty. Life can be crazy busy, we all have so much going on these days that it can be overwhelming trying to remember every single event. Do what you can when you can.
And honestly, don’t stress about it. I once sent my daughter to school with crazy socks when it was crazy hair day. We all survived.
