Don't take this wrong, but did this child have to get a physical to be in track? Would they ask you to pay for this? What makes this kid any more special than some other child who has holes in their shoes? Is your PTO supposed to supply shoes for every kid that needs shoes for track? Where will this end? Do they understand that PTOs can not benefit any one individual? Our school has 90% of the students receiving free lunch. I understand your problem, but the PTO shouldn't be asked to do this.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
That is wonderful about the eyeglasses and a great thing. How do you make that determination about whose needs are met? Do you have a committee? This type of thing is what I'm struggling with because although it is so worthy, how do we decide that it is a PTO response and not a mission project for a local ministry or church, or maybe (keeping it confidential) even donations from the families of the school. I may be skewed in my thinking, but I feel that the funds that PTO raises should be allocated to school improvements, curriculum, supplies, etc. I'm just not sure if PTO is the right forum for this outreach. I am really just torn between what my heart says I want to do, and the obligation that I feel towards the funds of the school that I have been entrusted with.
About 10 years ago, a couple of parents in our district decided to do something permanent to address these kinds of situations. They developed a separate non-profit charity that is affiliated with the school district and the social workers in our schools. Only kids who are students in our district can receive aid. They run a couple of unique fundraisers each year, apply for grants, and take direct donations. It's a great solution for these cases that aren't serious enough to warrant the involvement of a large agency. The various PTOs make donations to the fund, which is consistent with our mission because it will aid only kids in our schools.
Setting up a new non-profit charity is a big committment, but it's a viable option.
We had a student last year that needed eye glasses really bad! The school nurse refered the family to the Lions Club and they were able to help the child but by spring the teacher called our Prez and said the glasses were making the boy's eyes worse. So she called a favor on their family eye doc and she gave the boy a free exam and the PTO paid for his glasses ( the doctor knew we only had so much to spend and kept he family in a $60 range).
The happiest ending, the student went to school Monday and told the teacher that Santa Clause was at Target Saturday and had new glasses there JUST FOR HIM!
The best $60 our group has ever spent.
Are you near a Gart's/Sports Authority/SportMart? Talk to a manager and see how they can help even if it's buying a gift card and letting the family shop for his shoes..it would be worth asking. Footlocker often has tons of shoes that were last year's and don't have room for them on the sales floor, worth asking about. I like the "play it again" sport shops, my husband has picked up great golf clubs there!
Please let us know what you decide to do. You are sure not alone on this issue!
Many of our region PTAs hold coat drives/clothing drives and keep a closet of things that might be needed. They work with the counselor to identify those that need the help most and it is kept confidential. Still others do dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas and others do a Christmas wish tree for children at the school. If you have the means, you can help. Keep it quiet though and if you are concerned that every parent will be running to your group for help, don't be. Most of the families that are helped don't approach the counselor. The counselor identifies them. It's a pride factor.
Are their any good consignment shops around? Our school has a new gym and our children have to have 2 sets of sneakers for school. Indoor and outdoor. At the end of the year the school asks for any sneaker donation that the kids have outgrown. They keep a box of sneakers at the school for kids who need indoor sneakers. I hope this helps out.
