These days, fund-raising is as much a part of school life as homework -- and, too often, just about as exciting. Every time we push our kids out the door to peddle still more wrapping paper, cookie dough, candy bars, boxes of fruit, and (dare we say it?) magazine subscriptions, don't we all think, There has to be a better way? Turns out, there is.
In fact, as the following winners of our America's Best School Fund-raisers contest show, there are many better ways. Our creative readers prove that a great fund-raiser can do more than boost a bank account: it can build community, spark school spirit, and create lasting friendships. In other words, it can be a whole lot of fun too.
Send Your Teacher PackingThe School St. Bernadette's Catholic School in Springfield, Virginia
The Project Surprise Teacher Getaway Raffle
Nearly half the school's 380 students entered favorite teachers and staff into a drawing that featured a parent-donated four-day vacation.
The Payoff $3,370 toward interactive whiteboards
When Mary Fedorochko describes the raffle her school held last year as a "double whammy," she means it in the best possible sense: it was an easy, effective fund-raiser and a token of teacher appreciation that was, well, more than just a token. The raffle tickets -- which the kids decorated with heart stickers, "Good Luck!" messages, and smiley faces -- said "Please send _______ on vacation." Families bought them for $5 each, filled in a teacher's name (and their own on the back), then entered them in the vacation drawing.
The Fedorochko family donated the use of their own vacation home for the grand prize. The lucky teacher, Mrs. Fellinger, was also treated to lunch with the student whose family bought the winning ticket, delighted third grader Graydon Monroe, courtesy of a local country club. Another prize was awarded to the class that sold the most tickets.
With nearly half of school families participating, minimal work, and happy kids and teachers, this fund-raiser was truly a win-win solution. Mary expects it to become an annual event. "It's just the perfect overall morale booster," she says. "And you should have heard Mrs. Fellinger scream when her name was drawn!"
Mary's tip Invite the teachers to take a short break while a volunteer goes class to class explaining the raffle to students. ("We told the kids to say we talked about global warming," she says.)
