When I was 8 years old, I decided I wanted to play soccer, and my mom promptly enrolled me in our local community league. With just five dollars and a permission slip, I became a proud member of the “Sunny Strikers,” sporting my bright red T-shirt on the field. The referees were volunteers, we brought our own water, and our games took place at a nearby school field. There were no mandatory work hours for parents, and we didn’t have to sell anything to participate in organized sports. Plus, I got to keep my T-shirt at the end of the season.
My mom never had to pressure our friends and neighbors into buying overpriced junk. Occasionally, a team might need to fundraise for a championship trip, but that usually meant selling candy bars from a simple cardboard box. Honestly, the only time I remember fundraising as a kid was during Halloween when I was given a UNICEF box to collect spare change to help children around the world. Parents weren’t expected to empty their wallets regularly for extravagant field trips and over-the-top parties. Back then, life was uncomplicated and much more affordable.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve been roped into selling coupon books, extravagant wrapping paper, and even candles. My kids have hawked cookie dough and pizza kits to unsuspecting relatives. From candies to pies to flowers, we’ve sold it all to contribute to our schools and activities. I’ve had my car washed and even attended silent auctions. We’ve drained a small fortune from friends and family “for the kids!” It’s a miracle they still pick up the phone when I start a call with, “So, your niece is selling insert ridiculously overpriced item that no sensible person would buy at a clearance sale.”
Just recently, we were asked to sell candles to fund a school trip. The fee was $75, and the kids received a measly 10% of the sales to help with their expenses. These candles, retailing for $25 each, were smaller than what you could easily buy in stores. So let me get this straight: You want me to sell $750 worth of scented wax to fund a trip to a waterpark, complete with a bus that has a bathroom? That’s 30 candles, folks! Seriously? I don’t even know 30 people, let alone anyone who needs enough candles to last a lifetime.
I understand the reasoning behind fundraising. I’ve managed PTA budgets and know the costs of assemblies, dances, and field trips. But must everything be so extravagant? Field trips now resemble mini vacations, complete with fancy buses and Wi-Fi. Class parties have evolved into lavish events with multi-course meals and crafts that would impress Martha Stewart. Everything seems to be bigger and pricier, which can be overwhelming for families on a tight budget.
I recognize that fundraising is meant to help families who may not have extra funds. It’s crucial to ensure children don’t feel excluded from activities. However, perhaps we should prioritize finding more affordable, inclusive options that don’t break the bank. My fond memories of class parties included games like Simon Says, a single cookie, and some juice. There was no need for my mom to sell chocolates, pies, or hoagies.
And please spare me the “It’s for the kids!” argument. Most of these extravagant events are organized by parents in the community. Nobody is forcing anyone to rent bounce houses or hire pricey DJs with light shows. Kids would be just as happy with a simple tray of brownies and a music playlist. It’s often overzealous parents with too much time on their hands who perpetuate this “bigger is better” mindset.
Before you get upset about my take on your elaborate carnival (it’s for the kids!), let me say that I’m just as guilty of fueling this fundraising frenzy. I’ve begged parents for donations for school iPads, persuaded businesses to contribute to fundraisers, and thrown parties that had way too much sugar.
So, when will it end? We need to return to basics. Less is more, and today’s parents seem to have forgotten that kids need very little to be happy. We have PTAs with budgets in the tens of thousands and sports leagues with more money than some families earn in a year. It’s absurd, and really, what are we trying to prove?
I’ve decided to step off the fundraising treadmill and hope more parents will join me in voicing their concerns to PTAs. That doesn’t mean I won’t support my kids or their activities; it just means I’ll inquire about the actual costs instead of selling stale pies in bizarre flavors that end up in the trash. But if anyone is selling those chocolate-covered pretzels in pretty tins, feel free to drop by!
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Summary
Fundraising for school activities has become excessively elaborate, with parents feeling pressured to sell overpriced items to fund events that could be simpler and more cost-effective. The nostalgia for straightforward, low-cost activities is palpable, and many parents are ready to move away from the current fundraising culture. It’s time to return to basics and prioritize affordable options that truly benefit children.