At our book fair we had a raffle, which costed $1 per entry, and the proceeds went to underprivlidged children. PTO funded the prize which was an overnight stay at wisconsin dells. It went quite well and we did make more than the prize was worth which was great for the kids!
You must check the bylaws first as pzettler stated.
Does your PTO have things like a get well program? Where you send a little gift to children that have extended abscences due to illness or injury?
You can use that as leverage as to not everything is for all children at one time.
You never know what may happen to each of us. We all have the potential of becoming one of the underpriviledged at any time. It is our duty as human beings to protect and help one another. I hope this has helped.

What works at one location may not work at another. What works one year may not work another. Do you have bylaws? Some have wording that anything you fund needs to beneifit ALL the students, others may not. I

n the end, I'd ask, "Is this going to bring us together as a group and strengthen us, or is this going to divide the group". The stronger you can make your group, the more you can do for the school. Will giving a few a book, keep you from giving all the school an entire library?

I can't really help you for sure, because I can't tell how strong the emotions are running. Promote harmony, and you're likely to come out better.

The school I came from the PTO funded vouchers for underprivlidged children at the bookfair. The new school I'm at also funded for the book fair but with mixed feelings. Some reasons given were that not all chilren were receiving something and that funds were for all children in the school. I feel that all children benefit from helping out others ecspecially chilren in the elementary age group. Is there a general rule of what PTO should pay for and not. I feel that alot of teachers would like to see this happen fot their children than receiving a gift from PTO for various reasons.