Help me fundraise!

[cahabalily]

You're overthinking this. Send the kid out, or take her with you so she can ask herself. People can't say no to a kid.

Is she selling something or just asking for donations? The donors should get something!

[momof2boys]

Ugh, this is a tough one. I usually will ask my parents and buy a few small things myself, or I don't participate at all. Quite honestly I oftentimes just throw the fundraising info in the trash. I get that the school needs money, but i'd rather them ask me for 20.00 towards classroom supplies or something then make me harass friends, neighbors, coworkers etc. Whenever they ask for supplies I bring them in happily.

I have a coworker who brings her daughters fundraising into work and I hate it. If i don't buy anything I feel like a cheap ass, and if I do I feel like I just wasted good money on overpriced wrapping paper that I don't need.

[lindyanne]

I agree that I'd rather buy something than give money...edibles like subs are great. Some restaurants will donate a percentage of funds for diners that hand in a card showing the organization on a certain day - you could try to organize one of those. My old workplace would never allow the change can thing.

[dexteroni]

Sept 9, 2012 20:28:46 GMT -5 @jimbooo said:

Now I'm thinking maybe we should ask others, so they can learn about the needs of her school and will have an opportunity to donate and get a tax deduction. Sounds good, huh?

No, it sounds weird. Sorry. I don't really see any benefit for your coworkers to learn about your DD's school. Every kids' school seems to need money. And most people aren't going to bother deducting what I'm guessing will be a pretty small donation. And are you going to hand out receipts for tax purposes. See? Weird.

I would feel put on the spot (and super annoyed) if one of my coworkers walked up to me and asked me directly to chip in. Aren't they selling anything? They're just asking for donations? That's a pretty sucky fundraiser, lol. They could at least sell something.

Maybe you could buy candy bars in bulk at like Costco or something and then sell them at a markup, and the profits can go toward the cause. The candy bar fundraising boxes were always cleared in no time at my office. That way there's something in it for them and it's less awkward for everyone.

[dexteroni]

Sept 9, 2012 20:39:05 GMT -5 @jimbooo said:

t's for a jogathon.

Oh - so it's like a pledge drive? Who is doing the jogging - the 4 year olds?

[dexteroni]

And there's no reason your families can't chip in. My mom and my BIL's parents always contribute to my nephew's fundraising and neither of them live close to my sister and BIL. They send a check or paypal some money, and if the item is something nonperishable like gift wrap, they'll get it at the next visit, or if it's perishable, they'll tell my sister and BIL to enjoy it.

[dexteroni]

Sept 9, 2012 20:36:39 GMT -5 momof2boys said:

I have a coworker who brings her daughters fundraising into work and I hate it. If i don't buy anything I feel like a cheap ass, and if I do I feel like I just wasted good money on overpriced wrapping paper that I don't need.

Even if it's just sitting there unattended? That was always my favorite kind of fundraising because you can sign up or ignore it. The lady who sold Entertainment books used to go cube to cube and people would hide from her.

[So_Fetch]

A girl in my office used to send around a folder with a route slip - that way people could check it out and pass it on. The pledge $5 instead of "per lap" or whatever was a good option. I don't even like kids, but the thought of them doing a jog a thon was pretty adorable....I always donated.

[Deleted]

Sept 9, 2012 20:47:04 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

And there's no reason your families can't chip in. My mom and my BIL's parents always contribute to my nephew's fundraising and neither of them live close to my sister and BIL. They send a check or paypal some money, and if the item is something nonperishable like gift wrap, they'll get it at the next visit, or if it's perishable, they'll tell my sister and BIL to enjoy it.

We contribute to the fundraising at my H's brother's kids' school, and they're in a different state. I don't think distance should be a factor - if anything, it helps the people who are far away feel included and involved.

[momof2boys]

Sept 9, 2012 21:05:10 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Sept 9, 2012 20:36:39 GMT -5 momof2boys said:

I have a coworker who brings her daughters fundraising into work and I hate it. If i don't buy anything I feel like a cheap ass, and if I do I feel like I just wasted good money on overpriced wrapping paper that I don't need.

Even if it's just sitting there unattended? That was always my favorite kind of fundraising because you can sign up or ignore it. The lady who sold Entertainment books used to go cube to cube and people would hide from her.

Sadly it doesn't just sit there unattended. It starts that way, and then if you don't sign up she starts tracking you down...

[dexteroni]

Sept 10, 2012 5:33:18 GMT -5 momof2boys said:

Sept 9, 2012 21:05:10 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Even if it's just sitting there unattended? That was always my favorite kind of fundraising because you can sign up or ignore it. The lady who sold Entertainment books used to go cube to cube and people would hide from her.

Sadly it doesn't just sit there unattended. It starts that way, and then if you don't sign up she starts tracking you down...

Ugh. She deserves to be turned down then. In no way should you feel guilty.