With 8 grandchildren all in school, all participating in many activities both in school and out, there are countless opportunities to help with their fundraising. Of course there are the annual Girl Scout cookies to purchase: Emma and Megan both belong, so we buy equally. Over the years we have bought candles, wrapping paper, chocolates, baking mixes of many varieties, magazine subscriptions and spices. Most of the items we can use; some are designated right from the start as gifts. We have also baked for several bake sales, though right now I cannot remember if they were child or adult fundraisers. Another way they raise money is through sponsorship for events such as "a-thons...walkathons, rockathons, bike-athons", etc. We never bat an eye, just make our selections, write the checks, and hope we've helped.
Recently Noah mentioned that his band (he is a freshman in high school now, and plays in the school band) needs new uniforms, and thus are conducting .....you guessed it....a fund raiser. This time we have a choice between various sizes of citrus fruits (mostly oranges and grapefruits, I think) and....are you ready?....mattresses! Apparently this is a unique niche carved out by this school wherein the group takes over the gym or auditorium of the school and a mattress distributor sets up various type and sizes of mattresses. Noah explained that you can see them, feel them, try them out, and order them all at the same time. I am pretty sure we are going to opt for the citrus, but found this quite intriguing. As a teacher and parent and now grandparent I have been involved with scores of fundraisers: pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, car washes, yard sales, Penny Sales...the list is almost endless...but I have never heard of, nor attended, a mattress sale! We may have to go out of sheer curiosity! Whatever it is, we hope the children feel our love and support, and know that we are right there behind them, whatever their endeavors. The one thing I will not do is simply hand over money, especially if the activity involves putting a child at the door of a store, (usually a supermarket), with a collection can and usually a prominent poster on the premises. It makes me clench my jaws to think we are promoting getting something for nothing...or begging. The donor gets nothing in return; there is no exchange, unless the participant rattles the can at you, or manages to say, "Please give to ______________". No one is learning communication skills, or sales, or how to explain what the monies are for....it is begging, pure and simple.
Tip #56: Try to support the fundraising endeavors of your grandchildren whenever you can, but also try to get them to articulate what they are raising the funds for, and why it is necessary for them to do this. Do not make them feel obligated to you through guilt, but let them know you are purchasing because you love them and want them to be happy, active children, engaging in activities that nurture their passions and interests. Do not simply fork over the money, groaning about yet another crappy thing to buy (I have heard this more times than I care to count!). They will get the message that you approve of their participation in the project and that you consider chasing your dreams important enough to help.
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