From bake sales and fun runs to magazine subscriptions and jump-rope-a-thons, the lengths we go to in order to raise funds for our children’s schools can be a bit absurd. It often requires meticulous planning, a team of volunteers, and an abundance of time and energy. And let’s be honest, it can feel like a lot of hard work for little reward. But at the end of the day, once the last cookie is sold or the final jump is made, there’s a sense of accomplishment, and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
However, I have to admit something: I recently saw on social media that your niece’s delightful Little Builders Club is hosting a fundraiser this weekend outside the local grocery store. Because of that, I’m making a trip to SuperTarget instead. I know, I sound awful. If I hadn’t seen your post, I might have fallen for their charming smiles and handmade signs and reluctantly dropped a dollar into their collection jar.
It’s a lose-lose situation. My car remains dirty, and I miss out on a cute bracelet, while those enthusiastic kids miss out on an important lesson about earning money. That’s right, there is an “earning” aspect that’s crucial for our kids to learn.
Our children are capable and gifted, and it’s never too early to show them that their skills have value. If your band needs funds, why not sell private parades for neighborhood block parties? If the drama club is short on costumes, maybe the same kids who create sets could offer to paint fences or garages. And if your choir is vying for a national title, I’d love to see them serenading shoppers outside the grocery store!
Reflecting on my own childhood, I remember gathering with classmates to brainstorm fundraising ideas for our senior trip. Growing up in upstate New York, a spring break getaway to the ocean required significant funding, and I don’t recall anyone suggesting we simply set up shop outside the hardware store with a bucket in hand.
Fundraising in the ’90s often started with asking our parents, who would make us earn money a quarter at a time through extra chores. The next step was heading out into the community to rake leaves, wash windows, or weed gardens. It was hard work, but doing it alongside friends made it more enjoyable. We collaborated as a team, earned money together, and ultimately succeeded as a team—no tables, no handouts, no begging.
Parenting, teaching, and fundraising are all challenging tasks, and we shouldn’t put this on autopilot. The lessons are too vital. We need to encourage our kids to understand that if they want something special, they must put in the effort to earn it. It’s important to remember that our generation, while not perfect, learned to appreciate the effort involved in fundraising. When my senior class finally boarded that cramped bus to our two-star hotel in Virginia Beach, we truly valued the experience.
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Summary:
School fundraising efforts often miss the mark by encouraging handouts instead of teaching kids the value of hard work. By engaging in meaningful activities and earning funds together, children can learn important lessons about collaboration and the worth of their talents.