We do something similar at work for Children's Miracle Network. We are "arrested" and put in jail. We have to post bond before we can get out! We beg people walking by for money. I never thought about using that for a fundraiser at the school...Great Idea! Thanks!
Hi,
We have our walk-a-thon/ silent auction on a Sat. in Oct. This year we brought in $37,000 after costs. This was our 4th year and it is the only fundraiser that we do for the whole year, so it has to be big and successful. We do similar prizes for the top kids, and classrooms. The day of the event we have a silent auction and raffle that brought in $4,100, and we have a bbq, face painting, and a great dj that keeps the kids moving. We have prizes given to the kids when they reach certain lap goals.(bandanas, rubber bracelets, hollywood video rental coupons) Hollywood video has a grant you can apply for online, they gave us 400 free movie or video game coupons. Each child that runs/walks gets a t-shirt and the laps walked are tallied on the shirt with a sharpie pen. We get t-shirt sponsors to cover the cost of the shirts. To motivate the kids we have a kick off ralley/assembly with the same dj that works during the walk a thon. Each classroom also makes a poster to be displayed on the running course. Next year we plan to have a banishment booth that you can pay to have your friend/teacher stuck in the area for 10 min. They can either sit it out, or pay to get out. I have heard this is a big money maker that costs nothing, and is easy to do.
Good luck, it is a lot of work, but fun too.
Mom2apairplus1
We have been doing a "Fun Run" at our school since '97. I am currently the "acting" Pres of our PTO and the chairlady of the Fun Run. I have a lot of info about this and how to make it successful. This will be a long one, so sit tight.
Our Fun Run is for AR books, new computers, and anything else that we might need for the school year. We raised over $10,000.00 last year. But
after our expenses I deposited a little over $8,000.00. We have rewards for the children that are costly, but well worth it.
Our Fun Run is done during the month of March. We send out pledge envelopes. People can pledge per lap or flat donations. We let the children run/walk for 20 minutes. We have 2-4 classes running at a time. We have 4 stations that are set up w/ numbers where they begin. ( each classroom in each grade level will have the different colors so they will know which stations to go to. We only use 4 colors for the numbers so they match our station signs.) We have a host of parents standing at the stations with washable markers. On the students backs we have numbers that we can mark on as they run/walk by us. We tally up the marks and send the envelopes back out the next day or so for collection. That is basically how the actual Fun Run goes.
Each class room is given a goal to reach. The goal is figured by # of students x $30.00. If the classroom meets it's goal of "x" amount of $$ then the Teacher will receive 1/2 day off with pay. (sub paid for by PTO). The classroom with the most money raised the teacher get a full day off plus the 1/2 day for reaching their classroom goal. If the classroom raises over $300.00 then 1/2 of profits over $300.00 goes into the teacher's account.
The students are also given a goal to reach personally. If a child reaches $35.00 (last year amount, we are raising it this year) then they have earned an hour jumping on inflatables that we have brought in by an outside company. If the child raises $100.00(last year's amount) then the child gets to go on a Field Trip that the PTO pays for. I have had a lot of parents tell me that if there isn't a field trip then their child will not raise the $100.00. :confused:
We took them to a nearby Family Fun Center last year. They have ice skating, ski-ball, basketball, video games, etc. [img]smile.gif[/img] The kids really enjoy it.
Wal-Mart also donates new bicycles for the top students who raise the most money. We are going to change a few things this year, but that about covers it. Wal-Mart also has a matching grant and or Bonus grants that may be applied for starting in February. Everyone needs to go February 1st to apply for these IF you already have an event planned.
One thing to remember is to get your permission slips back before the event or the child can't participate even if they have raised money. And get LOT'S of parents to help you! you will need at a minimum 16---4 at each station.
I guess that's about it. If I think of anything more, I will pose later.
Have fun with your's!!! Let us know how your's turns out!
Brandy
Fraz,
We do a Jog a thon every year in Sept. We budget $300 for prizes for the top 5 pledge earners. This year we raised about $5000. To get the kids excited about getting pledges were the prizes. This year I bought an Apple IPod, Portable DVD player, Portable CD player, CD Boombox and then $20 in movie vouchers. The IPod and DVD player really got the kids excited! Mind you our school is elementary so I guess prizes would depend on the age of the kids. Also the 2 classes that raised the most money got ice cream parties. Our goal this year was to raise $4300 to pay for swimming lessons for all kids grad 1-6 and we definitely exceeded our limit. I hope this info helps.
