I feel this is something that should be discessed at a PTO meeting and voted on. I can't see how you can just do it for PTO members. Fundraising is done by the whole school, so the whole school should be included. A card with a note stating if there is anything, please let us know or plant would be nice to show support from their school. Think of something for the child(ren) that are involved. Playdates, rides to and from school or activities, school supplies, notes from other friends or students for them.
Sorry to hear about the hardship in your school!
What do your bylaws say? If the bylaws say that the money raised is to be used for educational purposes only, or that purchases have to be able to be used by all students (whatever the wording, you know what I mean), then the answer is no. If your fundraiser advertised that all proceeds were for X, then the answer again is no.
I suggest that you put out a collection jar at the meeting for families in need. You could have a jar at every meeting of the year and use that for these kinds of things. You could also run a separate event where the proceeds go just for this kind of thing. A rummage sale perhaps?
We had a parent die in a car accident earlier this year(thanks to a drunk driver)and it was jsut heartbreaking. Our PTO board sent a card expressing our condolences and letting the family know that there were parents available to assist with whatever they needed. I also went to the pastor of the church they attend and asked him to relay our offer to the family.(Sometimes people read the cards and don't really think you're sincere.)
It would be tough to decide how much to give and who to give to. We have some families who would be at a great loss if a grandparent passed away due to the quantity they are involved in the care of the children. I wouldn't have any problem with our group giving a donation, but there would be people who would and you have to really watch carefully so that you don't miss anyone.
Wouldn't you be doing this for the child at your school and not the parent? I would say the family would appreciate the support of any kind. A few local businesses would deliever fruit, veggie, or meat trays to our 2 funeral homes we have. The prices were under $40.00. There is something like this at our school but the PTO doesn't handle it, I think it is done by the SBDM.
I see both points of view! :confused: It's a tough one to call, especially if you have a close community and feel a stronger want to help a family out.
That said, I suppose some of my decision would be based on where the majority of your fundraising comes from, because businesses/corporations might not like the idea that they donated to a PTO to help a school and now some of that money is going to help out an individual family. If the majority of the fundraising comes from the community anyway, unless the family was VERY unpopular, I can't see them having a problem with voting on it. I mean, children lose a parent and the PTO doesn't help, or at least have some sort of fundraising to help the kid(s) out? That seems sort of harsh! As far as opening some sort of floodgate for helping all the "poor me's", how many tragedies really come through that gate? If a town-wide tragedy like a tornado happened, you could just suspend activities for all involved so you wouldn't be playing favorites.
I like the "Sunshine Fund" idea. It seems fair, and any moneies not spent could be rolled into the next budget.
Our PTO has what we call a "Sunshine Fund". Our budget this year is $400. Its usually just wedding, new baby, death of immediate family or injury/long illness for staff members (this includes all staff not just teachers). We also include students in this for the death of a parent/guardian. So far we have never had any problems with other PTO members. Its not something that is really advertised about. Sometimes its used to help a family in need, thus the need for only a few people to know who the money is spent on. The amount is usually $25 - $35. This is a budget item that the 4 officers are in charge of.
