School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

DS’ school (he’s in the nursery class of an N-8 parochial school) is doing a walk-a-thon to raise money for the school. The info came in his folder yesterday. According to the letter, they want to the children to get family, friends, neighbors and parent co-workers to sponsor them for the walk (in which the students will walk a quarter mile around the school grounds several times). Part of the proceeds also will go to a local charity.

BUT the child cannot contact the potential sponsors directly. You must give them the names and addresses and the school will contact them directly via mail with the information (it does say the contact info will ONLY be used for this purpose). They want at least 20 names/addresses. (The letter said “Your Christmas card list is the perfect example of the addresses to submit!”)

I have a problem with this. In our family and circle of friends, we don’t bother each other with such things. We buy our own kids’ candy, raffle chances, cookie dough, and wrapping paper. I’m not going to give the school my Christmas list so my husband’s 85-year-old aunt or my friend in California can get a letter about this.

If you do not submit 20 names, the child will not be allowed to participate in a dress-down day (a non-issue this year as my DS does not wear a uniform, but if he remains at this school…..) Another mother told me that if your child doesn’t have a certain number of sponsors, he/she can’t participate or even WATCH the walk-a-thon – they must sit inside by the principal’s office! Whether this is true or not, I do not know.

It’s one thing to sell Girl Scout cookies or candy to family/friends/co-workers (at least the person is getting something in return)….but this is something different.

What is your reaction to this? Does anyone's school do this sort of thing?

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

As much as i COMPLETELY understand the need for school fundraisers, I personally think they are way too often and put you and your child in an awkward position to sell things etc. My son is in Kindergarten and has come home with at least 7 or 8 fundraisers that I can remember this year...wrapping paper, plants, chocolate,etc.

As far as soliciting support that takes it to another level that i really see as unfair especially if the kids are being punished for not reaching a sales goal. C'mon....its absurb.

Its a tough one because sure, the schools need support for special programming that our children benefit from, but I also feel there are way too many fundraisers and it is unfair to expect children to participate in all of them.

I feel like a neighbor kid is ringing my bell at least once a week either selling raffle tickets, coupon books etc.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

I totally agree with you both. I couldn't imagine giving my Xmas card list to them. That is ridiculous.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

I would never hand over a list for my child's school to solicit for donations. In fact, this is the exact type of fundraiser I would choose to opt out. I'd be furious if it took place during school hours & my kid was in the principal's office.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

I am not giving out personal information for family and friends to keep getting solicitations from the school for future fundraisers. I would call the school and complain and tell them if my child wanted to participate, I would get the donations myself.

I am not a fan of keeping kids home if they aren't sick, but if the "punishment" for this is for the child to sit outside the principal's office, my child would not be at school that day and they can deal with me for consrquences. This is just ridiculous. I am not sure I believe that part, because I find it hard to believe every kid except for a few in the school would participate in this.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

Wow, our school does the same fundraiser & we're a Catholic N-8 school as well & our children just speak w/ the sponsors themselves & bring in whatever $ amount that person chooses to give. I'd be upset over that.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

That's ridiculous.

I've seen some sports teams say you have two options at sign-up. Either sell X amount of fundraiser items, or write a check for $X amount.

That way, the organization/school/team gets the funding they need, and the parents have an option if they'd rather invest time or money to raise the funds.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

I understand the need for the PTA to do fundraising for programs for the school, but a nursery school doing a fundraiser of this capacity? Ridiculous.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

Thats totally ridiculous and unacceptable, IMO.

I'd give them fake addresses

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

I wouldn't do it. I think it's ridiculous.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

I totally agree with you. I personally would not hand over the contact info of my friends and family. and my DS would be out "sick" those days so he would not be penalized for something like that.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

i would never hand out that kind of personal information and i would call the school and let them know that YOU as the parent will get donations, and your child WILL be participating whether they hand in the list or not

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?

1/ I would NOT give my family/friends addresses for them to be constantly harrassed later on. No way!

2/ My kid having to sit in the principal office: OK... I would switch school IMMEDIATELY!

This is beyong ridiculous and bullying people into fundraising and the terms are outrageous.

Re: School fundraiser -- what do you think of this?