[WE had the same situation in our school. Our PTO donated a X-Box to the Childrens Hospital were he is receiving treatment. An article went out in the school newsletter for gently used or new games to donate as well. We received MANY!
Good luck
I would like to put in my .02 cents on this topic. As both an incoming PTO co-president but more importantly as a mom of a cancer child. I know that when Alex was diagnosed with Leukemia we appreciated the donation that my husbands co-workers put together for us. We didn't "need" the money, luckily insurance covered everything. But the money came in handy. Just being able to use it to help pay for gas to get to the hospital and meals in the cafeteria was one less thing we didn't have to think about. Thankfully Alex is healthy now, but we still appreciate that small gift. Now as co-predient of our PTO we just had the situation at our school. It wasn't a child, it was a parent of one of our students. We donated $200 to them and they were not insulted at all. They really appreciated the thought.
The blood donation is a good idea. And as a mom of a child who had leukemia I'm all for bone marrow donation. But I have to tell you to get on the marrow donor list costs money. So that may be a factor. For more info go to www.marrow.org
This may sound silly but if you are looking for a gift for the child maybe the children at school can make something. Large cards or letters something more personal. Our PTC board would not donate because it would only benifit one child whereas we are here for all the children. I agree with Crystal and Marion on sponsoring activies specifically for the child. Hope this helps.
We have a similar situation in our school, but a local fast food restaurant is sponsoring an evening to raise money for the family. Consider this: if your PTO is a registered non-profit (501c3) organization, you cannot (should not) make a donation to anyone except other 501c3 organizations. That would rule out the kind of donation you describe. Our district has a registered charitable organization that provides aid for families in emergency situations. We could make a donation to that group in the family's name. Maybe there is something like this in your area.
If your PTO is not comfortable giving money, perhaps you could organize other efforts. Volunteers could make dinners for the family, or take care of the other children in the family or helping with yard/house work.
That is so sad...perhaps if you could find out from the family if there is anything that they need...I'm assuming one if not both parents are probably having to miss a lot of work and even in these day's of "middle class" people are still strapped financially. If you could call them and say that the pto really wants to do something for their child and let the child know everyone at the school is thinking about them. If you could find out what form of cancer the child has and if blood transfusions will be required or bone marrow perhaps your pto could sponser a blood drive at the school...your best bet is to talk to the parents...they will probably really appreciate that the school is behind them.
