I love to volunteer at Peanut’s elementary school. I’m a member of the PTSA and help around the school as needed. There’s one thing I dread though and that’s fundraisers. You know the kind where you get a catalog of useless expensive stuff? You always seem to get it the same time your neighbors’, church members’ and family members’ children get their own.
I always feel obligated to buy the stuff and I do. Then I buy from the other children too. It puts us back quite a few dollars. When the products arrive they don’t even resemble their photo and they’re usually smashed in a bag that your child has to carry home.
And don’t get me started on how the fundraising company tempts your child. They have an assembly and tell them about the prizes if they sell this much or that much. So Peanut comes home with wide eyes dreaming of a gift certificate for $500. When I explain that it’s a contest including all of the other schools, groups, etc. in the US taking part in this fundraiser she’s already thinking of ways to spend the money.
Shoutback has a nicer way of fundraising. It involves auctions instead of junk from catalogs. I know there are so many non-profits in my area that would love raise money this way. I volunteer not only with my daughter’s school but with my church too. I donate to some local charities that help our homeless population and I volunteer with various health related organizations that are not local.
Using Shoutback may not only help to raise money but can potentially get much needed information out to the public about various causes. I have two rare chronic illnesses and I try to do all I can to inform people about them. Perhaps the groups that are trying to raise research money can benefit with this site.
I hope that the site gets updated soon as you can’t see what groups, people or businesses are involved when you click on these areas.
