Drop us a note at FP_PTA@yahoo.com

The treasurer noted that this fund raiser brings in approximately $9,000 for the school's 600 students (about $15 per student).

Would you like to have the option of making a donation INSTEAD of selling the fund raiser gift items? Note that this is only an option; you would certainly still be able to sell the fund raiser items as you always have done in the past or to sell on a small scale and make a donation as well.

120 surveys were returned (45 with write in comments!) Here are the results:

59% I would like to have the option to donate instead of selling the fund raiser.

37% I do not see a problem with this being an option, but I would probably still prefer to sell the fund raiser and not make a donation.

4% I believe that allowing donations to such a fund would create problems.

MOST COMMON COMMENTS:

Ÿ Great idea! This will be so much easier for me.
Ÿ How about investigating other fund raisers such as:
Candy bars
Less expensive items
More practical items
Raffle
Car wash or tag/rummage sale
Different fund raising items for different grades
Different time of the year (many schools/organizations fund raise in the fall)
Different gift brochure
No junky prizes for sales incentives
Walkathon, countathon, hopathon
Sell a school directory/calendar/recipe book
Ÿ You will make more money by giving the donation option; IBM parents may get a donation match.
Ÿ You will make less money by giving the donation option
Ÿ One fundraising packet per family; not fair to parents with more than 1 FP kid.
Ÿ Exclude kindergarten from fund raising
Ÿ Preferrable to donate directly to your child's class
Ÿ **This would only be an OPTION = not mandatory** but, comments were submitted:
Some people look forward to selling and buying the fund raiser items.
Some couldn't afford to donate.
Ÿ Question: Would this donation be tax deductible?
Ÿ The letter that is sent home with the fund raiser should include more specifics on what the money is spent on -- perhaps last year's treasurer's report with items highlighted that were paid for by the fund raiser.

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The topic of the fund raiser (My Favorite Gifts brochure) was raised at the last PTA meeting. Items that you were asked to sell included gift wrap and accessories, practical items, gifts, and candies in designer tins. You were asked to share the brochure with your friends, relatives and co-workers. This fund raiser enables the PTA to provide our children with many opportunities and materials they may not otherwise have, including field trips, assemblies, and educational materials. The treasurer noted that this fund raiser brings in approximately $9,000 for the school's 600 students. An alternative to the fund raiser was proposed and we would like to get the opinion of the Fishkill Plains parents.

Would you like to have the option of making a donation INSTEAD of selling the fund raiser gift items? Note that this is only an option; you would certainly still be able to sell the fund raiser items as you always have done in the past or to sell on a small scale and make a donation as well.

There would be no prizes awarded or ticket drawings based upon donations collected.

You can either complete the form below and return it to school with your child * OR *
E-mail FP_PTA@YAHOO.COM with your vote and comments.

Survey results will be presented at the next PTA meeting, Oct. 25 at 9:30am, as well as posted on the school web site at http://www.WappingersSchools.org/Plains.
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_____ I would like to have the option to donate instead of selling the fund raiser.

_____ I do not see a problem with this being an option, but I would probably still prefer to sell the fund raiser and not make a donation.

_____ I believe that allowing donations to such a fund would create problems.

Drop us a note at FP_PTA@yahoo.com