The way we choose a group is pretty simple...we let the two chairpersons along with the principal decide. We had thought about letting the membership choose but realized that everyone has their own favorite charity. The only criteria we have is it must directly benefit kids. We do choose a different organization each year and so far have never been asked by anyone if their group could be chosen...we always have to contact the group we choose and like with Mc Donald's they sent a "Ronald" and supplied all of the snacks and punch for everyone there. We also have a dj that donates his services and we use our sno-cone machine it is really a great time. We hold the event right after school...the kids who are walking meet on the track and we usually go for about 2 hours. Parents must fill out a permission slip and collect donations...some people prefer to sponser a walker per lap ie: $1.00 for each complete lap or a flat donation. Each child is given a die cut foot that they hang around their neck and each time the pass the start point we use hole punches to keep track at the end they turn their foot in and we count the holes and send a letter to them letting them and their sponsers know how much they need to collect. The kids really look forward to it and to be honest so do the parents:)
What a great idea Chrystal! Normally I'd agree with the others that we shouldn't donate to other causes both because it's hard to decide (& could be considered discriminatory) & we like spending the money from our parents on our kids.
However, in your case, you don't need the money. Plus, you hold the event specifically to raise money for a different group each year.
I'm curious, how do you choose the charity? Are the kids involved? Does the Exec. Board choose. Or the membership?
Our group has never been asked...except by the high school to donate to the Senior All Night Party. We do however hold a "walk-a-thon" every year. Last year all of the proceeds went to our local Ronald McDonald House @ Children's Hospital of Detroit. This year we haven chosen to have the proceeds go to make a wish foundation. Our walk-a-thon started quite a few years ago as a fundraiser to pay off our new playground when that goal was reached we still wanted to hold this much loved event but could not justify having another fundraiser...our PTO has been so blessed that we only need one fundraiser per year and we still have money left. That is when we decided to have our kids help other kids. It has been a wonderful experience in compassion, acceptance,generosity and community involovement for not only the kids but the parents as well. The kids are very proud that they are the ones helping sick kids and their families...it makes them feel that YES kids can make a difference!! Last year we raised $3000.00 and we hope that the trend will continue for Make-A Wish!!
I agree that our PTO would probably not directly support such a request. As you say, it would be difficult to choose. However, within our PE classes, they do some things - including "Jump Rope for Heart" with the American Heart Association. We support that as a school activity in terms of promoting it, providing volunteers, etc. If the school decides to have such an activity, we would help in that way.
As far as financial support, we too feel that the PTO funds need to be spent for the students or for things that benefit them. One sort of charitable contribution we do make each year is a $250 donation to an area high school that partners with us all year and whose honor students and athletes earn community service hours by volunteering at our events. They are great kids and a big help. At the end of the year, they have a some kind of organized "lock in" activity or party (something) that they solicit donations from the community. It's a really big deal for them, and we contribute each year.
I wouldn't think it would be appropriate for the PTO to donate money to a charity, no matter how worthy. As a parent, I expect the money raised by the PTO to be used in the school; if I want to give to a charity, I give directly to the charity.
Has anyone ever been asked to financially support an organization such as The American Cancer Society or run a fundraiser for a group like that? Our feeling is that in choosing one group we open ourselves to charges of being discriminatory. Any thoughts?
