From bake sales and fun runs to magazine drives and consignment sales, the array of activities devised to raise funds for our schools is endless. Each initiative demands careful planning, volunteers, and a significant investment of time and energy. It’s no easy task, and let’s face it—hard work can be exhausting. Yet, once the last cookie is sold or the final jump is made, the fruits of our labor become evident, which is precisely the goal.
I must admit something: I recently learned through social media that your cousin’s adorable Lego League is fundraising for their annual trip to the LegoLand Adventure outside the local supermarket this weekend. As a result, I’ll be making a trip to the nearby SuperTarget. Yes, I realize this might make me a terrible person. If I hadn’t seen your online announcement, I likely would have fallen into that trap, charmed by their sweet smiles and their painstakingly crafted cardboard signs, and reluctantly dropped a dollar into their makeshift fund jar.
This creates a lose-lose scenario. My car remains dirty, and I miss out on a unique handmade trinket, while those lovely kids miss a vital lesson about the value of earning money—an essential concept that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Our children are intelligent and gifted; it’s never too soon to instill in them the idea that their skills have worth. Are you trying to fundraise for the school band? Why not sell private parades for community block parties on the 4th of July? Need costumes for the drama club? The same kids who paint sets could easily paint fences around the neighborhood. Is your choir aiming for a national competition? I’d love to see them performing outside of the grocery store—just imagine the resonance of their voices!
Reflecting on my own adolescence, I recall brainstorming sessions with classmates focused on raising funds for our senior trip. Growing up in upstate New York, our journey to the beach during spring break required significant funding to cover the travel costs. I don’t remember anyone suggesting we simply sit outside the hardware store with a donation bucket and an expectation of mercy.
Fundraising in the ’90s meant first turning to our parents, who would make us earn our keep a quarter at a time through additional chores. The next step was heading into the community, where we could rake leaves, wash windows, and pull weeds. Although it was hard work, teaming up with friends made it much more enjoyable. We collaborated, earned small amounts together, and ultimately succeeded as a group—no need for folding tables, handouts, or begging.
Parenting, teaching, and fundraising are all formidable challenges, but we can’t afford to let our children take a back seat in this process. The lessons learned are too important. Let’s put in the effort and teach our kids that if they want money for something special, they must earn it. It’s a flawed system when expectations are set too low. While we may not have been perfect, my generation learned to appreciate the small rewards that came from hard work. When my senior class finally boarded that cramped bus to a modest hotel in Virginia Beach, we truly valued the experience.
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In summary, school fundraising should not be about quick fixes or handouts but rather about instilling values of hard work and self-worth in our children. Let’s encourage them to earn their rewards, creating a cycle of appreciation and effort that will serve them well throughout life.