We have staff coming in shifts as well so we just had them put their name on a piece of paper and picked out a few every 10 minutes. I've also done parties where you tape something under the chair and anyone who sits in that chair at the right time gets a prize. You could also have them pick a piece of colored paper from a bowl and when it's time anyone with the right color gets a prize.
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
Thanks for the tips on Target and Walmart. I will approach them well before May to see if they are willing to make donations.
A question regarding the door prize idea -- our teachers will be coming to the luncheon more or less in shifts that correspond to the students' lunch waves. Everyone can't fit into the teachers lounge at one time. Any suggestions on how to "do" door prizes when we are working with staggered arrivals/departures of the recipients? I would like to give away any flowers that we might use as decorations. I am also considering making some small edible centerpieces -- if I have sufficient $$, time and energy!
Our local Targets have been really good to donate and they are given a donations budget by corporate for every month. The later in the month you ask them, the bigger the risk they can't do it but usually they're good for at least one $50 gift certificate a month or more.
Walmart asks for a big application process but then you get something like $500 once it goes through. That's at least in this part of NV. Local stores have more flexibility because they don't have to answer to a corporate entity.
Consider asking local flower shops and nurserys for donations. You could use the flowers they donate for door prizes, decorations etc. They may even want to set up a small display. Our local Target has been great to donate to our organization.
