Well, we are done. We served over 500 people and it was a smashing success. The first volunteers arrived at 6:45 am, we served from 7:45-8:45 and Our gym was cleaned up and ready to go by 9:15 ( school starts at 9:00.)

We did not have ANY problems! We have never run an event that has gone so smoothly- and had so many wonderful compliments!

The ONLY thing we did not anticipate is that guests actually started arriving at 7:15.. we did not expect such early birds!!!

and.. for anyone that does this in the future.. we also bought some decks of cards and puzzles at the dollar store and had them on every table, along with white copy paper and crayons. It was great to see people coloring, playing tic-tac-toe, doing puzzles and playing cards! We actually saw Dads introducing themselves to one another, and then dads and kids who didn't know one another ( but sitting together by default at the tables) actually talking and playing cards or doing the puzzles.. it was just awesome.

Another hint is that we got our milk and juice through our cafeteria, so that whatever we didn't use, they COULD use.. and they only billed us for what we used. Having single serve cartons may be a little more costly, but MUCH easier than pouring cups of milk and oj and making pitchers of OJ at 6:45 am.......

Any questions, I would be happy to share more..

THANK YOU to all here that have done this event before, and whomever started this idea.. our school had a great morning thanks to all that have posted about their Donuts with Dads events!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

thanks for the advice and encouragement.. I will let you know how it turned out! [img]smile.gif[/img]

We love doing DwD. Ours is held mid-November during Parental Involvement Week. We hold Muffins with Mom on Wed. and Doughnuts with Dad on Friday. We have tickets for each parent for a few door prizes. This way we can get a pretty accurate count of how many people showed up. WalMart and other discount stores should have most of their summer stuff marked way down. You can pick up a couple small bbqs and such for quick door prizes.

Good luck to you,
Holly

Keep it simple and you'll have a great time. We ran out of coffee at our first DWD, but we're better prepared now. Easiest event we've ever hosted and a FABULOUS way to get dads into the school. Thank you to this message board for the idea.

Smile, have fun, eat a few donuts, have sign- in sheet - sit back, relax - talk and listen - then hit em up later for volunteer time or ideas

We are holding our first Donuts with Dads this week. We will have about 400 people.. any last minute words of advice, from those who have done it?? We think we have covered everything from parking issues to tablecloths... but.... ya never know! [img]smile.gif[/img]