simka2 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Confessions of a Homeschool Dad: #1 - Fundraisers Being accosted by multiple little salespeople from a wide array of school backgrounds, my little mind has been kicking this topic around. Since my kids are homeschooled I wondered, is it wrong to jump on this bandwagon and ride it too? I mean my kids can be very pursuasive and can flash the sad eyes on demand. Maybe we should hook up with one of these fundraising outfits and send our kids to the streets - or at least to dad's office or our church. I mean let's face it, if there's a school in America that is suffering from budget cuts and over-worked teachers a case can be made for the homeschooling family. I mean we don't get paid by anyone to school our children. I have yet to open my mailbox to find a check from uncle sam to help cover some of the costs of our textbooks and materials. We could send the kids home with a 'school supplies' list but guess what, that comes from the same pocket. So if my kids were to come up to you with candy bars, miscellaneous food items, candles, etc would you buy one? Just a funny (yet somewhat serious) idea that's been bouncing around my head lately. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I have thought about it for a specific class - a rather expensive one, but a great opportunity. Ds isn't old enough for it yet, but if we are in the same financial situation when he is...I think of it as sort of like raising money for a band trip. The ps kids do that all the time. I'm not sure if I would actually do it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I wouldn't do it, but those thoughts have crossed my mind...and I feel no guilt politely declining to purchase the various fund raiser stuffs sold door-to-door. In fact, I'm relieved we don't have the expectation of selling candy or wrapping paper.... That said, I do put some schoolish stuffs on Christmas wishlists every year when Grandma's and Grandpa's ask what the kids would want/need for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 My neighbor homeschools and they do fundraisers to help pay for extras like gymnastics. Very common around here for kids to do fundraising for camp, extra curriculars, etc. I'm not opposed to participating in a fundraiser if it is something I'll actually use. They tend to do those script cards and I just buy a bunch for places we actually shop on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomemom Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Well....he kind of has a point! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 My DH was talking about this exact thing yesterday! LOL I gave him a firm "NO. We are not doing that." Mostly because he wanted to "fundraise" for an iPad for the kids. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I just posted something very similar last week on FB! Except mine was about having a special fundraiser for our "reading class" to attend the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for a field trip to coincide with our reading of the books. Kind of like when high school bands raise money to march in a parade, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChocolateReignRemix Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Sounds kind of whiny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Ugh! That reminds me. I have to pick up fundraising packets this afternoon for band. We haven't really done much of this at.all. But things are tight and if this is a way to get a tuition break, we really need to put forth some effort. I'm REALLY not looking forward to it. I think we're selling Little Caesar's pizza kits, cookie dough etc. (I'm not sure what all is on the list) and Key cards (those discount coupon books) I HATE those things! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I hate, hate, hate fundraisers. I would rather give a donation. My boys have to sell popcorn for scouts. This year we are selling in front of a store. Whatever quota we don't meet there, I will donate. I REFUSE to go door to door! Dawn PS: At our last popcorn sales "pep talk" it was presented as a great opportunity to introduce the boys to the real world of work. REALLY???? I would starve if I had to sell crap. Door to door sales in no real world work in my book. AS YOU CAN TELL, I HAVE NO STRONG OPINIONS ON THIS! ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I hate HAVING to buy wrapping paper/stale popcorn/inferior chocolate/etc. etc. for the PS kids so if a homeschooler approached me about it, I wouldn't LIKE it but I'd probably chuckle about it and mentally high five him or her for doing the same to everyone else. But no, I wouldn't do this personally. Then my argument for handling the kids' education on MY own would be weakened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I hate that fundraising stuff. When ds was in private school we were asked to do it too. It made me angry because we already paid huge tuition. I used to buy the junk from the neighborhood kids just to be nice. But now I don't even know these kids and the only time their parents want to talk to us is when the kid wants $ for fundraising. Last time I paid for a pie I never got! Now I don't buy any fundraising stuff. Yeah-I'm still bitter about that pie. Really wanted that darn pie! What a ripoff. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Unless your family is a nonprofit charitable organization, it wouldn't really be fundraising, it would be a business (a taxable business.) You would need to let people know that their contribution would not be tax deductable. (We don't do fundraising in general - I give a donation instead - though.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I have a friend that basically does this for any extras her children participate in. I asked her how she comes up with thousands of dollars to do this or that and she answered "fund raising". That just seemed "off" to me. My oldest didn't go to Mexico this summer because we didn't have the money ($1k). There is no way I would go around the church and beg for that. Going to Mexico is optional. I figure, if there is a scholarship, there is a scholarship. If not, then not. I've offered to actually sell stuff and it seems people respond less to a person actually trying to EARN money than to people just asking for money (backwards, imo). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4everHis Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Well....he kind of has a point! :D lol and :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I've heard of people putting up blogs and FB pages and such to raise money. Kind of like "I need XXX amount for school books (or to visit my girlfriend or to buy Christmas presents) this year. Please help" There is no candy bar or popcorn exchanged. And people send money. Boggles my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I've heard of people putting up blogs and FB pages and such to raise money. Kind of like "I need XXX amount for school books (or to visit my girlfriend or to buy Christmas presents) this year. Please help" There is no candy bar or popcorn exchanged. And people send money. Boggles my mind. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 My DH was talking about this exact thing yesterday! LOL I gave him a firm "NO. We are not doing that." Mostly because he wanted to "fundraise" for an iPad for the kids. :D Ooooohhhhh, we could really use an iPad! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in C-ville Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Well, apparently there are some families in my area who sell boxes of citrus as a fundraiser for homeschool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Fundraising homeschoolers--no. :glare: Industrious homeschoolers producing a product or offering a service that is a good value for the money? :thumbup1: So, teach your dc to bake a really really good loaf of homemade bread, then come by my house every Friday and deliver it to me freshly-baked, and I'm *totally on board!* In fact, if they can get it here in the next 5 minutes or so, I'd pay a completely exorbitant price for that. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I think if I were one of your DH's friends that had a child in institutional school my feelings of hurt and insult would be huge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I hate, hate, hate fundraisers. I would rather give a donation. My boys have to sell popcorn for scouts. This year we are selling in front of a store. Whatever quota we don't meet there, I will donate. I REFUSE to go door to door! Dawn PS: At our last popcorn sales "pep talk" it was presented as a great opportunity to introduce the boys to the real world of work. REALLY???? I would starve if I had to sell crap. Door to door sales in no real world work in my book. AS YOU CAN TELL, I HAVE NO STRONG OPINIONS ON THIS! ;-) My husband sells his services door to door. It is a VERY real job. He goes door to door to do bids for window cleaning. Before starting his very successful business, my dad was a door to door salesman - to businesses rather than homes. Just pointing out, that there are still jobs that require this skill. Most jobs do require some level of salesmanship, to get the job and to perform well. It is a valuable skill to learn. BUT, there are other ways to learn it. Unless your family is a nonprofit charitable organization, it wouldn't really be fundraising, it would be a business (a taxable business.) You would need to let people know that their contribution would not be tax deductable. (We don't do fundraising in general - I give a donation instead - though.) Sometimes they are considered gifts. But it depends on how it is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Sometimes they are considered gifts. But it depends on how it is done. If you sell a product, I can't see any way that it would be considered a gift. If you just ask for donations, maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Nyssa Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Haha! That's a great joke... I mean, that's actually a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 :D Love it. I wouldn't actually do it, of course.... I see blogs with "donate" buttons all the time and the nerve of these people really galls me. I'm talking, no serious illness, just "please send us some money." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcarolinamom Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 My son's soccer team does a fundraiser twice a year -- and it's a part of an area-wide homeschooled co-op! They use the extra money to help defer costs of tournaments, lower the cost of uniforms, fees, etc. That being said, I still hate fundraisers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maeintx Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Fundraising homeschoolers--no. :glare: Industrious homeschoolers producing a product or offering a service that is a good value for the money? :thumbup1: So, teach your dc to bake a really really good loaf of homemade bread, then come by my house every Friday and deliver it to me freshly-baked, and I'm *totally on board!* In fact, if they can get it here in the next 5 minutes or so, I'd pay a completely exorbitant price for that. :D I'm on board for this! Fresh bread right about now would be so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 AWESOME. Your Dh and My Dh think alike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I distinctly dislike knocks on my door from school kids asking me to buy something I do not want so they can get a paltry percentage of the proceeds. If I wanted to buy high priced crud I don't need, I have a number of stores at the mall to choose from at my own convenience and far more selection. :D I know, I know....I'm a curmudgeon! Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 So, what kind of responses did he get on the FB post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 So, what kind of responses did he get on the FB post? Well, he had taken a FB break recently, so most of the response was, "So, glad your back!" With a supportive innuendo. Then his note got picked up by a handful of other friends and reposted (all of whom have kids in PS). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I hate fundraising. I hated fundraising when ds was in a certain private school, especially since pratically everyone we knew had a kid there. I have been tempted to go stock on those M&Ms, the fundraiser kind, and go around and sell them. But I hate fundraising. I do have some nice fresh from the trees pears I'll sell. Don't think they'd ship well though. Hm, Pears for Books program. May have to think about that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Confessions of a Homeschool Dad:#1 - Fundraisers Being accosted by multiple little salespeople from a wide array of school backgrounds, my little mind has been kicking this topic around. Since my kids are homeschooled I wondered, is it wrong to jump on this bandwagon and ride it too? I mean my kids can be very pursuasive and can flash the sad eyes on demand. Maybe we should hook up with one of these fundraising outfits and send our kids to the streets - or at least to dad's office or our church. I mean let's face it, if there's a school in America that is suffering from budget cuts and over-worked teachers a case can be made for the homeschooling family. I mean we don't get paid by anyone to school our children. I have yet to open my mailbox to find a check from uncle sam to help cover some of the costs of our textbooks and materials. We could send the kids home with a 'school supplies' list but guess what, that comes from the same pocket. So if my kids were to come up to you with candy bars, miscellaneous food items, candles, etc would you buy one? Just a funny (yet somewhat serious) idea that's been bouncing around my head lately. ;) No way would I do it and if a kid came to my door bearing "fundraisers" for homeschool (as opposed to the kid's private business) I would be irritated. We are not rolling in dough either--I'd consider it begging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 We are anti childrens fundraisers. My kids are not peddlers.:lol: Just one more reason to keep them home. I gave him a firm "NO. We are not doing that." Mostly because he wanted to "fundraise" for an iPad for the kids. This reminds me of something I saw on the news. Some school was issuing I-pads to Kindergarteners to improve test scores.:001_huh: Just one more colossal waste of tax payer funds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 No way would I do it and if a kid came to my door bearing "fundraisers" for homeschool (as opposed to the kid's private business) I would be irritated. We are not rolling in dough either--I'd consider it begging. How is PS fundraising not begging? They already take money from everyone to fund public schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginevra Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 There was a family (not homeschoolers) who for years organized a golf tournament for the youth sports league in the community. When their own son became a contender to win state for wrestling, the family organized a golf tournament for their son's wrestling costs! :svengo: It was so gauche I was embarrassed for them, and I barely knew them. I did hear of someone around here doing a fundraiser for their own personal homeschooling. Tacky. I also can't really imagine who would sympathize - the other homeschoolers would sympathize, maybe, but they have their own costs to pay. The public schoolers clearly would be apt to say, "I do pay taxes. You would not need materials if you would come down to our lowly level and send your kids to the paid-for school." The FB post would be good for a laugh, maybe even a "like," but the truth of it is that I don't ever want to be caught complaining to non-homeschoolers about the expense of materials. Sure, I might murmur to my fellow homeschoolers if our favorite materials raise their rates or if I can't find a particular book to flesh out our history study, but I consider the subject of homeschooling expense as not for public knowledge. Lastly, I hope it never does come to the possibility of getting a check from the government for homeschooling. I shudder at the thought. I won't trade liberty for a meal ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I hate, hate, hate fundraisers. I would rather give a donation. My boys have to sell popcorn for scouts. This year we are selling in front of a store. Whatever quota we don't meet there, I will donate. I REFUSE to go door to door! Dawn PS: At our last popcorn sales "pep talk" it was presented as a great opportunity to introduce the boys to the real world of work. REALLY???? I would starve if I had to sell crap. Door to door sales in no real world work in my book. AS YOU CAN TELL, I HAVE NO STRONG OPINIONS ON THIS! ;-) If it makes you feel any better, some of the very few folks I buy from are the Boy Scouts. I'd rather have a bag of popcorn to pop than magazines, candy or wrapping paper. Oh, and Girl Scouts, I just can't resist the Samoas! I'll also consider Band organizations since I want to support music education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 well, our homeschool group DOES fundraise. Last year, the group sold coupon books (great savings, we bought one ourselves) and little Ceasar pizza kits. The proceeds go towards the end of the year trip. Schools do it for trips, why not homeschoolers? People have been quite supportive. Now, selling something is not the same as standing outside the grocery store with a bucket... :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 My favorite was the year all the 5th graders in town were fund raising for their class. They used the money to go see the Harry Potter movie. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirch Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 well, our homeschool group DOES fundraise. Last year, the group sold coupon books (great savings, we bought one ourselves) and little Ceasar pizza kits. The proceeds go towards the end of the year trip. Schools do it for trips, why not homeschoolers? People have been quite supportive. Now, selling something is not the same as standing outside the grocery store with a bucket... :tongue_smilie: I think this is a bit different from a homeschool family doing a fundraiser for their own costs. What you're talking about is just like any other group--sports, orchestra, scouts, whatever. Not the same as fundraising for books and other homeschooling materials, which is what the OP's husband's post was joking about and what most people here have an issue with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChocolateReignRemix Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 well, our homeschool group DOES fundraise. Last year, the group sold coupon books (great savings, we bought one ourselves) and little Ceasar pizza kits. The proceeds go towards the end of the year trip. Schools do it for trips, why not homeschoolers? People have been quite supportive. Now, selling something is not the same as standing outside the grocery store with a bucket... :tongue_smilie: I don't have any issue with that at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleWMN Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I have two kids that are homeschooled and one in public school. Our public school does a LOT of fundraisers and they really irritate me (and almost always hang something over the kids heads to raise money - like a popcorn party or whatever). I would not fundraise for our homeschool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I took the post as being tongue in cheek and thought it was funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 As far as I'm concerned, not having to fundraise is one of the biggest perks of homeschooling. If we can afford it, we can do it. If we can't, we can't. It's been SO much less stressful that way :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 I took the post as being tongue in cheek and thought it was funny. Yes, sarcasim runs deep in our veins :D! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Yes, sarcasim runs deep in our veins :D! Well, then you're my kind of folks!;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_midori Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I just started helping with the fundraiser for our cubscouts pack, and right away my 7yo and I got a lecture from a neighbor about how to go about selling things better!!! :D Fortunately, all the neighbors are nice and bought stuff anyway - but we are apparently terrible salespeople! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemrae Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I took the post as being tongue in cheek and thought it was funny. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaCoop04 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Nope, I wouldn't do it. I would never sell that stuff anyway b/c I always hated kids coming to my door with that look and that pressure. People usually react negatively to homeschooling anyways, I don't want to fuel any fires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.