Children coerced into fundraisers

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Punishing children for lack of participation in a fund-raiser is wrong. However, if fundraisers make the school a better place for my children, then I say let’s do it. If magazine drives generate thousands of dollars, then participate at the minimum level only. Our children must learn that a Catholic education isn’t free and that they must work for it, that they can contribute in good ways to the overall success of their school, that their effort matters.

I don’t like fundraisers either, but when I look at what our school has been able to do vis a vis capital improvment and program enhancement, I can’t help but admit that the fund raisers are a good thing. If a family doesn’t want to participate, then don’t. Since lots of families do participate, thank God for their generous souls that allow your children to have a better education as a result of their dedication to raising money and financial sacrifice, even if it is a competitive public display, be glad that those families are helping your school financially. Don’t slam all fundraisers simply because they are inconvenient or demanding for your particular family. It takes a lot of money to run a great Catholic school, I’m grateful for any donations that supplements tuition and fees at our wonderful Blue Ribbon Catholic school.
 
My parish is just in the planning stages for its school, so I guess this debate is coming soon. I hope that we will just divert funds from our annual parish carnival to support the school instead of browbeating the children into little salespeople. Our carnival originally funded a good chunk of the building fund, but now that we have paid off that entire amount it has been used to reroof the old building, build a children’s prayer garden, help the teen mission trip and a multitude of other projects, poorer parishes, etc. It has taken many years of dedicated volunteers but the event now grosses over 100k each year including the raffle and silent auction which run as a part of the overall carnival. (We like to get our fundraising over with in one big bang.)

It didn’t start to just be a fundraiser but also a parish fellowship activity. It has been the largest event in our town for many years, so everyone (not just the Catholics) look forward to coming with their kids and enjoying a wholesome, safe activity. We have had live free entertainment like bands and dance troupes for about 5 years which suprisingly enough people love to do for free. We have grown a planning committee of probably 30-40 people who work about 9 months of the year to get it organized. The rest of the parish participates by working a 3-hour shift or 2 during the 3 day event because it takes 1500 volunteer shifts to make it run. I don’t know if something like this might help the OP to get out from under the dog and pony show that is school fundraisers? It can start very small and then really build into something major for the parish if people stick with the idea.
 
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Cupofkindness:
Punishing children for lack of participation in a fund-raiser is wrong. However, if fundraisers make the school a better place for my children, then I say let’s do it. If magazine drives generate thousands of dollars, then participate at the minimum level only. Our children must learn that a Catholic education isn’t free and that they must work for it, that they can contribute in good ways to the overall success of their school, that their effort matters.

I don’t like fundraisers either, but when I look at what our school has been able to do vis a vis capital improvment and program enhancement, I can’t help but admit that the fund raisers are a good thing. If a family doesn’t want to participate, then don’t. Since lots of families do participate, thank God for their generous souls that allow your children to have a better education as a result of their dedication to raising money and financial sacrifice, even if it is a competitive public display, be glad that those families are helping your school financially. Don’t slam all fundraisers simply because they are inconvenient or demanding for your particular family. It takes a lot of money to run a great Catholic school, I’m grateful for any donations that supplements tuition and fees at our wonderful Blue Ribbon Catholic school.
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You make a lot of good points. Most importantly that we look at the cost/benefit of such items and that we should not require students under penalty of disciplinary action, to participate in them.

I’m bothered by your comment about “slamming all fund raisers” because from reading your post I have an idea that you have never been formally introduced to how “stewardship” is actually supposed to work. In a true stewardship parish, there is plenty so that the time and talent treasure given by both students and parishioners can actually go toward doing the Lord’s work without the annoying overhead of doing the bidding of commercial interests for a few bucks.

When I say that fundraisers are an insult to God I’m talking about fundraising (i.e. prostituting our youth) for the sake of fundraising and supplying what the parish failed to do by stewardship. (Hint: if they had “tested” God as in Malachi, the floodgates would be open and would dwarf all of our fundraisers put together in one fell swoop.) As some have said, skating parties and other celebrations actually are cummunity building events, with the pleasant effect they leave some money in the coffers. The problem is that parish leaders, in general, have not been willing to fully embrace this stewardship concept – even though the USCCB came out with a wonderful document on it in 1992. They take true stewardship and reform it into the image of man-made rules and misapply it, then they don’t see the blessings.

How would you like it if the children and adults could actually spend their time and talent with the parish doing God’s work – spiritual and corporal acts of mercy for example – rather than spend so much time (and I’ll wildly guess in many parishes 80% of the time and effort of various committees is for fundraising) chasing a few pennies. A bake sale – again unless in an otherwise community building event – for example, lets me donate $2.00 worth of ingredients and 2 hours worth of time, so that the parish could have $1.50. That is just plain stupid from a money standpoint but this is what we spend our time doing instead of doing God’s work.

If we spend all our time and effort chasing pennies to keep the building erect, then we will have exhausted all of our energy for actually doing the work of the Lord. This is why fundraising mentality is a spit in the face of the Lord – to take His Holy Church and busy people with much concern over trifles and worldly possessions?

Alan
 
I agree, bake sales are waaay too labor intensive for my tastes. I refuse to participate and I really can’t stand that it would be required. Now, our 4H club is going to be doing a very lucrative fundraiser, which is manning the free coffee stand at the rest stop on the interstate. A lot of different groups do this and it brings in quite a haul. Our Altar Society also does it. I definately think it’s worth it.

One thing I really hate is my friend who is really into fundraising is always putting me on the spot for things. I just don’t like it when my friends try and sell stuff to me, period. I think it’s tacky.
 
Wow, this took me back. When I wnet to Catholic school (1960s), we sold quite a few raffle tickets, and had a St. Patrick’s Day bazaar. I have very fond memories of the bazaar, though I don’t think raffles are allowed anymore. Tuition was cheap then, according to my mom - paid more for the bus than for the actual tuition. Both of my kids went to public school - and we always felt like they were being turned into little salespeople. Most fundraisers were sponsored by the PTA, and I don’t recall any negative repercussions other than the class wanting everyone to participate in order to get the pizza party/prizes. There were some times that I chose to donate $10 or $20 in lieu of fundraising. It was never turned down.
 
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KCT:
If this is a public school, it just goes to show that public education is not free. —KCT
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You’re right, public education it isn’t free anymore, and our property taxes aren’t enough.

Here is an example: For high school band, the band instructor receives a budget of approximately $5,000/year. Obviously this isn’t enough to attend the competitions, bus rental, food for the kids at these competitions, music arrangement, etc. This is where the band boosters step in. In the past (I haven’t been part of this for the last 2 years, so I’m going off my information from when I was part of the group–son is not in band anymore), the band boosters supplement nearly the entire program and net about $50,000+/year for all of the above and more.

Each school year, we, the parents, pay a “fee” to the schools that covers basically admin and materials for certain classes.

Just last night I was having a discusion along these lines and the topic of school vouchers was brought up. According to the school district, they spend about $5,000 per child per year in the elementary schools. I would absolutely love to get my daughter into the nearby Catholic school, which for the 2005-2006 school year was $3,500. Hmmmmm, cheaper and she’d get a better education…

I don’t mind helping groups like for band and other groups do their fundraising; I just don’t like the (little) kids doing it. In fact they insist that the kids do not go door to door, but encourage YOU the parent to hit up your neighbors and co-workers and family with basically “junk”.

That isn’t my style, however, I don’t mind other types of fundraising…band example: our group checked in other volunteer groups at Invesco Field. Until I did this, I didn’t realize how many of the vendors at the professional fields are volunteer groups…did a beer booth at Invesco on July 4…(NOT FUN! feet stuck to the floor mats, people were dissatisfied because the lines were long. Actually only had a few disgruntled customers–most understood we were volunteers).

Also groups like Partylites candles, Pampered Chef kitchen items, actually have fundraising capabilities…those ones are great.
 
Alan:

I don’t at all disagree with you and you are correct. However, it is good for children to work for what they receive, selling things doesn’t demean them, it helps them understand how things work: if you sell some magazines, our school gets ten new swings on the playground. If my family were to pay the actual cost of our tuittion for our five elementary school children, my tuition bill would double and thus be unaffordable. I’m grateful for all the families that have a lot of money to give and do so generously (albeit in a conspicuous way). Actually, the magazine drive is a fabulous fundraiser because most people buy magazines anyway and the prices are the same as anyone else would pay, it’s the wrapping paper, cookies, popcorn, fertilizer, etc. that are hard to sell.

Auction banquets are now big events where I live. I do not go to any of them (we have 7 children attending 3 Catholic schools), but they raise money, in the case of the high schools, at least a million, which makes it possible for my children to attend these otherwise expensive schools thanks to financial aid funds generated by the auction proceeds.

Yes, it’s far better for people to be good stewards of what the Lord has blessed them with and give generously accross the board in terms of tithing time and money, but I am eternally grateful for the fund-raising donations that makes our schools so wonderful. Bill and Melinda Gates just gave five million dollars to my daughter’s high school. I was speechless when I heard this new. What a blessing.
 
My kiddo goes to Catholic school and it always seems that someone needs money for something!

Walk-a-thons
Hop-a-thons
Candy Sales
Book sales
gift wrap
popcorn
…

I love our school but seriously enough is enough.
 
At my kids’ Catholic school, in addition to tuition, we have to pay $75 assessment per trimester per student.

You can either just pay it off or work it out in fundraisers. The only fundraiser I actively participate in is the scrip program. We can buy gift certificates for certain businesses, like grocery stores and fast food restaurants. A certain percentage of each gift certificate is taken off our assessment bill. That way I’m not spending any more than I normally would, and my in-laws don’t mind me asking them to participate, since it doesn’t cost them a penny. It certainly beats paying outrageous prices for a candy bar or a roll of gift wrap.
 
Kay Cee:
The only fundraiser I actively participate in is the scrip program. We can buy gift certificates for certain businesses, like grocery stores and fast food restaurants. A certain percentage of each gift certificate is taken off our assessment bill. That way I’m not spending any more than I normally would, and my in-laws don’t mind me asking them to participate, since it doesn’t cost them a penny. It certainly beats paying outrageous prices for a candy bar or a roll of gift wrap.
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We use this one in our parish, called Manna. It is great, as for school parents, it directly effects the monthly tuition rate twice a year. It cut the girls’ tuition bill into less than half. What’s really great is when a home repair or car repair is needed, there are Home Depot and Lowe’s cards, and there are a couple of local auto techs who participate.
 
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OutinChgoburbs:
We use this one in our parish, called Manna. It is great, as for school parents, it directly effects the monthly tuition rate twice a year. It cut the girls’ tuition bill into less than half. What’s really great is when a home repair or car repair is needed, there are Home Depot and Lowe’s cards, and there are a couple of local auto techs who participate.
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Wow. I would like to hear more about this one. Fundraising that does not impose, provides people an actual service for being a member of the group, and enough money to actually influence tuition.

If we’re not going to have “true” stewardship, then at least our fundraisers may as well be effective and not annoying. Where can I get our parish to sign up? If it is web-based that’s even better because I have the password and rights to the parish web site. 😃

Alan
 
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AlanFromWichita:
If we’re not going to have “true” stewardship, then at least our fundraisers may as well be effective and not annoying. Where can I get our parish to sign up? If it is web-based that’s even better because I have the password and rights to the parish web site. 😃

Alan
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At my parish, I can walk into the rectory and say “Gimme $250 worth of Giant Eagle (supermarket) and a $50 Applebee’s)” We also have an online mall.
assumption-sc-44147.onecause.com/ for the school
assumption-44147.onecause.com/ for the parish
How the cert. program works
centralpurchasing.com/cert.htm

At our school, if you don’t buy x amount of certificates, you get charged a non-participation fee.

My kids don’t go to the school, but I do buy GC to support the parish.
 
My mom used to simply say ‘My daughter isn’t taking part in this fund-raiser, I don’t believe it’s in her best interest to sell door-to-door’…The headmaster gave up on me eventually, as I always brought the stock back untouched. But I agreed, that my mom had the right to say she didn’t want me to do it!

Anna x
 
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axolotl:
At my parish, I can walk into the rectory and say “Gimme $250 worth of Giant Eagle (supermarket) and a $50 Applebee’s)” We also have an online mall.
assumption-sc-44147.onecause.com/ for the school
assumption-44147.onecause.com/ for the parish
How the cert. program works
centralpurchasing.com/cert.htm

At our school, if you don’t buy x amount of certificates, you get charged a non-participation fee.

My kids don’t go to the school, but I do buy GC to support the parish.
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We have those supermarket certificates as well. If you MUST depend on fundraisers, this is a good option because everybody can participate, and you’re spending money you HAVE to spend anyway.
 
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mercygate:
We have those supermarket certificates as well. If you MUST depend on fundraisers, this is a good option because everybody can participate, and you’re spending money you HAVE to spend anyway.
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This is an awesome program. Our old K-8 school did this selling SCRIP. This was and still is their most profitable fundraiser.
I still buy SCRIP for the grocery store every week and SCRIP for birthdays and holidays!
 
Scrip is great. It’s painless and easy, however, since I shop at Walmart and Target (those stores don’t take Scrip), I have a hard time using Scrip.
 
Never had an issue using our SCRIP at Target. Dont know about Walmart as we dont have one here or close by.
Our SCRIP was more of a gift certificate…I mean we had a list of 50plus places to buy SCRIP for…which was great around holidays and birthdays!
 
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Wolseley:
When I was in grade school we were expected to go out and sell stuff door-to-door for fundraisers----candy one year, then popcorn, then light bulbs…
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Oh, boy!
When my stepkids were in school they used to bring home these catalogues of tacky, overpriced junk (though the candy wasn’t bad). I got orders for them from co-workers, but then, of course I was on the hook when their kids’ school fundraisers came up.

Alan hit it on the head, the whole system turns the students into a captive sales force. I’d like to know exacly what percentage the school gets – and how the school decides what company to do business with.
 
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AlanFromWichita:
Years ago the parents of our school were asked by vote, if they would like their children to continue having fundraisers, or if they would prefer paying a $50/year fee to the school and get rid of all that nonsense. The vote was for the fee.

Of course, that migrated into now we have the fee and fundraisers are still creeping back into vogue. Now there is even a major annual fundraiser, and families get to pay a $20 fee to provide supplies for that fundraiser!

This is the same thing that happens when the government is going to “eliminate” or “reduce” one tax on lieue of another; they both end up going up.

Recently, though, it has reached a new level. The kids often get these deals where they are supposed to send 10 solicitations for magazines to 10 people, not all school friends etc. and my eighth grader came home with such a package to send out and if she did NOT cough up 10 “convincing” names and mail them, she would get a DEMERIT.

I think that fundraisers are an insult to God and His plan for stewardship. I think it is horrible that children as asked, under threat of disciplinary action, to be little annoying salespeople. If they want to raise money for a field trip and replace their own funds or something, I could almost put up with it. For various reasons, I will not be bringing this issue to light at our home parish any time soon so I thought I’d see what’s up elsewhere in the world of “coerced stewardship” by a captive (read that: child slaves) populace.

We had to call our relatives and explain it’s OK for them not to take a magazine because it makes it sound like they have to buy magazines or they will fail to help out the children. They had admitted they wanted to “support” the children but really didn’t want any of the products. The WHOLE THING is based on GUILT.

Alan
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Get a group of like-minded parents together and get on the agenda of the schoolboard. They always have an open meeting portion where citizens can speak. Go there and publically shame them into stopping this offensive and inappropriate behavior. School boards are elected, and they want to make sure constituents are not unhappy. They do not want unhappy parents showing up a meetings, I promise you.
 
You want to get rid of fundraisers?

Research on the internet the article about the young girl who was raped and killed when she was abducted by someone she was trying to sell candy bars to for a school fundraiser.

Then research about the lawsuit that her parents attorneys filed against the school board.

Get copies of those articles and send them to your school board, superintendent and most importantly the school solicitor. That should do the trick!
 
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