Service Projects

[Coop]

When I was in high school I remember raising money for the United Way during our Spirit Week. The school always made it fun and we raised tons of money. Do you know any schools who are looking doing this? I thought it was a good way of raising money for the United Way and thought more schools did something like this. Maybe it was just my high school...anyone know of schools who do such things? Let me know.:)

[scrivener]

Hi Coop, and welcome to TTC. My school is actually a beneficiary of the Aloha United Way in Hawaii. The school doesn't receive any money from the United Way except for scholarship assistance for our students. The sad truth of the matter is that small student-teacher ratios cost lots of money, and we're the only school in the state that offers programs specifically for dyslexic students. The result is that we have the highest tuition in the state, but as you know, dyslexia cuts across ethnic, social, cultural, and financial lines. The United Way helps our students' families with the tuition burden, and we're very grateful for their help.

As for service projects that help the United Way, each class in our high school is required to do a service project each year, but I always try to make my students pick projects that don't benefit them directly, and too many of them get financial aid for a United Way fundraiser to satisfy that criteria. We do have employee commitment drives each year, but that's different from what you're asking about.

What was it about these United Way fundraisers that seems to have been so memorable and rewarding for you?


ps: have you seen this thread (http://www.theteacherscorner.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2791)? :)

[Coop]

It is nice to meet you. Thank you for your comments. I am impressed with what you are doing in regards to dyslexic students. My younger brother is slightly dyslexic and is working hard to over come it. So it touches me that others are trying to help those like my little brother.

I don't necessarily have an interest in United Way fundraisers. I just remember doing fundraisers in high school and our money going to the United Way. I am hoping to find out if there is a need to provide fundraising opportunities to schools, that way they can raise money and donate it to a foundation. Does that make sense. If not, visit my website below and look at the project I am trying to organize.

Alexis

[SLP]

My kids' school does JUMP ROPE FOR HEART for fundraising for the American Heart Association. The PE teachers run it and the kids love it! Contact the AHA for info.

[Krafty]

Welcome Coop -
I think the answer to your question is yes, schools of all levels are always looking for innovative fundraisers. Sometimes to raise money for themselves, other times to benefit charities.

A lot of private schools require each class to do a community service projects - ours is PK - HS and every class does a project. My kids have participated in Relay for Life, Jump Rope for Heart, Trick or Treat for UNICEF, Operation Shoe Box (filling shoe boxes with Christmas gifts for children in poverty stricken countries), read-a-thon for Katrina victims, etc. Just this week we bought Cat in the Hat hats to benefit the library while celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday. Most of the ones I mentioned have little or no investment for the school so the profit percentage is high.

Fundraisers that are executed through a 3rd party can be successful, but my biggest issue with them is the percentage actually going to the cause. My kids sell Sally Foster gift wrap and I think the school gets 50% (pricey but a quality product and the percentage for the school is good). On the other hand, when I was in Girl Scouts, we'd sell cookies but of the (then) $2.50 per box, our troop got a whole $0.25.