Parents BRE Fundraising Committee

[Alina]

Since some parents aren't able to attend the BRE meetings at the school, and would like to contribute their ideas, I thought that we could all meet up once a month to give our own BRE fundraising ideas. Please let me know if you are interested and what days will work best(a weekend day would be best for everyone).
I'd be happy for us to meet at my house(not very big but we would fit!;)) and once it gets warmer maybe we could meet up at the park and bring the kids!

[LeoTheLion]

Great idea! I'm in!

We would need to be specific on what we are trying to raise funds for, to not make it about padding a local businesses/owers pockets, and I suggest that we avoid getting the kids to be salepeople, but if they want to be involved, make it FUN for them. Let them be kids...that time goes by TOO FAST.

[PhoenixOrion]

Question. This sounds really good and fair but what's the plan for getting the officials of BRE to take us seriously and consider our thoughts/opinions/concerns/plans?

[LeoTheLion]

let's figure that out as we go...who actually is an "official" anyway? Do we have a list of names, email addresses? Maybe we need that info too.

[Willis]

A link prompted by an article in the Washington Post
HERE (http://www.mcdonaldsocal.com/template.php?sec=21)

[PhoenixOrion]

let's figure that out as we go...who actually is an "official" anyway? Do we have a list of names, email addresses? Maybe we need that info too.

I don't know who they are or anything but I figured worst case, we could do it privately and just donate all money raised if we have to end up by-passing the officials altogether. KWIM?

[lar]

I was kind of thinking that people who wanted to fundraise for Blue Ridge could just join the BREA. The meet only once a month and they provide babysitting. They do pretty well advertise it but they really don't try and recruit from what I can see. I'm sure they'd be happy for people to join. It hasn't been a secret that the membership is low. I don't really know who participates but they can't be all bad, I just know the parents in the school are generally the ones that are always in the school doing this and that.

[Mommyof3]

The BREA is free. There is no cost. They would love to have more parents show up to meetings and participate.

Even if you can't attend the meetings you could send in your suggestions. Send them directly to Mrs. Zigler...she attends the meetings.

I have no problem with the Pizza fundraiser and the paper one. I also like the idea of selling Sweatshirts/tshirts with the school logo and the magnets with the logo...if they can turn those into fundraisers....that would be great.

I just think it becomes overkill when you are asking the parents to fork over money every single month for the same playground that has been in the planning stages for at least 3 years (that is how long my kids have been in that school).

I am a single mom, and when you tally up all the fundraising stuff, along with school pictures and yearbooks and school lunches and school supplys and school clothes and field trips (that are never free!!) it all becomes overwhelming.

I don't have know that I would have any input to give to a seperate "fundraising committee". But I do try to attend the current BREA meetings and could pass along info that you all gather.

[Alina]

I will try to get the info on BREA when I pick Joey up today and then we can find out when the next meeting is.
Willis, that's pretty neat! Even if the teachers aren't into it maybe we could get McD's to do it w/ some of us mom's. I don't really like to eat there BUT my kids do get it every once in awhile. How do we approach restaurants about sponsering/partnering for something like this?

[Mommyof3]

California Tortilla does a "charity" night. That is where you can have a portion of the sales go to your school, or organization by just giving the "code word" before placing your order.

The HFMS Band did this once. Unfortunately I missed that night. But Cal Tor is way healthier than Mcdonalds. I think it is absurd for McD's to promote kids coming in on a special night to see their teachers...and eat....especially with the childhood obesity problem America is having.

[Mommyof3]

oh btw... the next BREA meeting is next Monday the 11th. 6:30pm, and they do offer babysitting during the meeting.

[PhoenixOrion]

oh btw... the next BREA meeting is next Monday the 11th. 6:30pm, and they do offer babysitting during the meeting.

I'm hoping my husband will be off work by then so we can both attend. I will probably start going anyway but would also like to meet up with Leo and the other moms here too. I really have no excuse not to attend the meetings since I don't work outside the home. I just figured you had to be a member or something. Guess not.

[Alina]

I wasn't able to make it to the meeting tonight(about what to do during a school emergency, gymnastics was too much fun and we got sidetracked) but I have it on my calender for the 11th. WON'T miss it.
Would Saturday afternoon/Sunday work for anyone to meet up? It would be great to brainstorm before the meeting.

[PhoenixOrion]

I wasn't able to make it to the meeting tonight(about what to do during a school emergency, gymnastics was too much fun and we got sidetracked) but I have it on my calender for the 11th. WON'T miss it.
Would Saturday afternoon/Sunday work for anyone to meet up? It would be great to brainstorm before the meeting.

Saturday afternoon would be better for me because I won't have the boys that day. Sunday is OK too, I just need some notice so DH can be here to watch them.

[Alina]

I just spoke to the manager at California Tortilla. He says that they do it(Spirit Night) on T/W/Th nights from 5-9pm and that we would need to tell as many people as we can to go and have dinner there. The school will get 25% of the sales from that evening.
I think we should talk about that this weekend and at the BREA meeting and then give ourselves a few weeks to advertise in the community and let our friends and family know.

We are usually home from soccor by 1pm on Saturdays. What do you think, Saturday we meet up at my house around 3pm(give me a little time to pull the loose ends of the house together)or, if it's a nice day meet up with the kids at the park? Open to other options too.

[Alina]

Maybe we could suggest doing a talent show(they could do it on there own or classes working together). They could charge to get in, sell snacks and maybe someone to video tape it and sell copies.

[lar]

I want to have a dance at the MCC or school cafeteria or gym but that might be reserved for Middle School I don't know.

[LeoTheLion]

(a REPEAT of what I put on Gen Chat but want it in both places)


Just like my favorite political candidate, I'm going to try to come up with solutions for the future. (while also writing letters to send about what had happened, and what shouldn't happen...)

Here are links to peruse and get inspired by that I found for our "idea meeting" on fundraisers. I'm just Googling around tonite while doing my other job of viral marketing - I think with all the talent up here, and the women/men at the BRE meetings, we can come up with something to get fast cash DIRECTLY to the project without selling out our kids...

http://www.schoolgrants.org/Links/playground.htm

http://www.donorschoose.org/homepage/main.html?zone=0

http://www.bricksrus.com/order/mccarthyplayground/

http://www.clintonfoundation.org/cf-pgm-hs-hk-work.htm ("A Healthier Generation" has companys that partner with it...an angle there maybe?...)

DONATION FROM THE FRIGGIN LOCAL TRACK!!!!!!!! (through their Corp Comm dept..)
__________________

[Alina]

Did we all want to meet up this weekend or Monday evening? Even if it's just a small group, I'm still happy to discuss fundraising this weekend.(Are you still available on Saturday afternoon, Phoenix?)

[PhoenixOrion]

Yeppers. Just need a time and directions.

[LeoTheLion]

I would love to meet PRIOR to Monday's 6:30p meeting. So Sat is good with me!

[Alina]

If you can make it to my house on Saturday at 3pm, PM me, let me know where you are coming from and I will give you directions. Thanks!

[Mommyof3]

I am going to be out of town until Sunday...but if you need someone to deliver the notes to the Monday meeting- I can do that. Just let me know.

[Alina]

If you would still like to come(even later), or call, I can get the info to bring in w/ MO3. 240-235-6797

[Alina]

6 of us managed to make it to the meeting last night to discuss fundraising at BREA. As head of the fundraising committee, I would like to have discussions(online) and a meeting once a month(would 2/23 work, 4:30pm?) to discuss your ideas and I will run these ideas past the school. I am new at this and would LOVE any help that you are willing to give. In other words, this can't be done with out your support.
I am happy to coordinate the dates/times/ideas for each fundraising project but YOU will need to be willing to give your time to make it work.
Please PM me your names/numbers to let me know if you can work with me to make this happen! Thanks!!!

[Alina]

6 of us managed to make it to the meeting last night to discuss fundraising at BREA. As head of the fundraising committee, I would like to have discussions(online) and a meeting once a month(would 2/23 work, 4:30pm?) to discuss your ideas and I will run these ideas past the school. I am new at this and would LOVE any help that you are willing to give. In other words, this can't be done with out your support.
I am happy to coordinate the dates/times/ideas for each fundraising project but YOU will need to be willing to give your time to make it work.
Please PM me your names/numbers to let me know if you can work with me to make this happen! Thanks!!!

[lar]

The first thing that comes to mind is a yard sale in the large parking lot when the weather warms up a bit. I think that is one thing people can get involved in without even being a part of the school.

[Alina]

I was really glad that we made it last night and I think the yard sale in the parking lot would be alot easier than trying to set it up at the school.

[lar]

The second thing mentioned last night, the Shannondale Garden Club and their contribution to the school in the past. What about the new revisited Garden Club planning something for the school?

[Mommyof3]

I agree Lar. Last year someone on the MTN tried to organize a "multi-family" yard sale, and it never happened. I think there is interest, and if we just pick the date and set the table price, it would be an easy thing to organize.


I don't think I am available on the 23rd or the 24th. My kids are home and we have a birthday party as well as a seperate family gathering.
(hmm....did i just use the excuse of "I have kids..I can't help?? lol)

I am more than happy to give my input and suggestions "here" or via email.

[lar]

Is it too late for a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny type thing? That one I stole from Page Jackson.

[lar]

Personally, I would not go "in" the school for yard sale. If the big parking lot was blocked off, shoppers can park in front of the school, on the side road or back of the school or teacher's parking lot. We could get tables donated from the Fire Dept. and maybe have a concession stand of some degree and maybe the various kids groups could have bake sales, etc.

[lar]

Somebody brought up Car Wash. I'd love to see the kids working. How about getting the kids involved in cleaning up around their own school. Make it fun.

[lar]

Sell sponsorship signs for the playground fences in various denominations and sizes and make them renewable yearly. Kids love seeing their family business advertised. I know we loved ours when it was in the baseball field at the High School. You can probably strike a deal with Vital Signs they help everyone in the community out.

[PhoenixOrion]

We are definitely on board for the yard sale. I'm pretty flexible so whenever you all decide to meet is fine with me. The only day in the near future I can't make it is around March 1.



(hmm....did i just use the excuse of "I have kids..I can't help?? lol)

Would you like me to say what your exact phrase was last night? LOL!!!!


Somebody brought up Car Wash. I'd love to see the kids working. How about getting the kids involved in cleaning up around their own school. Make it fun.

I like the car wash idea. Those are really fun. Pretty simple too.

[lar]

If we have any events that need kids, I'll get us some kids. I can get bunch of 5th grade girls and when you have the girls the boys will follow.

[PhoenixOrion]

If we have any events that need kids, I'll get us some kids. I can get bunch of 5th grade girls and when you have the girls the boys will follow.

I can probably get my 12 and 13 yr old nieces to help out. I'd have to bribe them but no biggie. lol

[LeoTheLion]

my girls are good helpers, as long as it's at a day when they will be here and not with their Dad in Alex., VA

[lar]

I think Tokyo is doing a good thing trying to get the next meetings agenda so we can get prepared and recruit some people. I have 6 more years in Blue Ridge so its better late than never for me.