When I was a kid, around 8 years old, I wanted to join a soccer team. My mom signed me up at our local recreation club, and with just five bucks and a permission slip, I became an official member of the “Red Rockets.” We donned our standard red T-shirts, played on a school field, and had volunteer referees. There was no pressure to sell anything, and my mom didn’t have to pester friends and neighbors to buy overpriced merchandise. The only fundraising I recall as a child was collecting coins in a UNICEF box while trick-or-treating to help kids from other parts of the world. Back then, sports and activities were straightforward and affordable.
Fast forward to today, and fundraising has morphed into a daunting task. I’ve sold coupon books, wrapping paper, and candles. My kids have hawked cookie dough and pizza kits to unsuspecting relatives. We’ve tried everything from pies to flowers, all in the name of supporting schools and activities. I’ve organized car washes, collected clothing, and dined at fast food joints for fundraising. Honestly, it’s a comical wonder that my family still picks up the phone after countless calls that start with, “So, your niece is selling [insert overpriced item that even a toddler wouldn’t buy].”
Just recently, I was asked to sell candles for a school trip, and let me tell you, the math was baffling. The trip cost $75, and the kids would receive just 10% of the sales. Each candle was priced at $25, but they were smaller than what you’d find in stores. Essentially, I had to sell $750 worth of candles to cover the trip — that’s 30 candles! Seriously, how many people do I even know that would want to buy candles at that price? It’s absurd!
I understand fundraising is necessary to help families who may not have the extra cash. But do we really need every school event to be a grand spectacle? Field trips now feel like luxury vacations, complete with fancy buses and Wi-Fi, while class parties are elaborate affairs featuring multi-course meals and crafts that would impress Martha Stewart. Everything has become more extravagant and pricier, which can be tough for families living on a budget.
We need to reconsider the way we approach fundraising and activities. The class parties I remember were simple: games like Simon Says, a cookie, and some juice. There was no need for extravagant items like chocolates, gourmet pies, or hoagies. And let’s not pretend that all this is genuinely “for the kids.” Most of these extravagant events are organized by parents who often have too much time and too few limits on their imaginations.
I’m just as guilty as the next parent. I’ve pushed for donations for school tech, coaxed local businesses into contributing, and organized parties with an overabundance of sugary treats. But when will this madness stop? We need to return to the basics. Kids need far less than we think, and we have PTAs with budgets in the tens of thousands while some families struggle to make ends meet. It’s excessive, and I can’t help but ask: what message are we sending?
I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the fundraising frenzy. That doesn’t mean I don’t support my children’s activities, but I will start questioning the actual costs associated with events and skip the sales of stale pies that end up in the trash. However, if anyone is selling those chocolate-covered pretzels in a pretty tin, I’m all in!
For more insights on this topic, check out this related blog post on fundraising alternatives. If you’re looking for a reputable retailer for at-home insemination kits, visit Cryobaby. And if you’re curious about pregnancy week by week, March of Dimes is an excellent resource.
In summary, it’s time we rethink how we approach fundraising and school activities. Let’s prioritize simplicity and inclusivity, making sure all kids can enjoy their experiences without overburdening their families.
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