My five-year-old son returned home one day after the Fall Frenzy Fundraiser feeling utterly crushed and disappointed—not only in himself but also in me. I had forgotten to place the envelope containing the money we had raised in his backpack that morning. He was keenly aware that he felt like he’d let down the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO).
For weeks, we had received reminders about the fundraising goals, the prizes up for grabs, and the deadline. If the students raised a certain amount, they could enter a drawing for things like movie tickets and join in the Color Fun Run the following week. They were “encouraged” to collect even more, with the two top fundraisers being rewarded with light-up scooters. On the day of the drawings, everyone could join in fun activities like pumpkin bowling and mummy wrapping.
These incentives may seem appealing to young children, but they also put undue pressure on them to solicit contributions without any real understanding of money or the social dynamics involved. While I fully support our PTO’s mission, I can’t align myself with these fundraising methods.
Who are we meant to ask for donations? Most of my acquaintances have kids in school, all of whom are juggling their own fundraisers. The only people I’d feel at ease asking would be those without children—like our parents. I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending my kindergartener door to door asking for cash from strangers. If he had a box of candy bars or coupon books, maybe I could see it as more acceptable. But directly requesting money feels wrong; that’s not how real life operates.
It also concerns me that children are being incentivized to seek financial support purely for a chance at prizes or to participate in fun activities. This approach doesn’t teach them anything meaningful. Why are we conditioning our kids to think this behavior is appropriate? Fundraising should be for enhancing educational experiences, not for essential items like books and supplies. Most of these young kids lack the maturity to grasp the ethical implications of this situation. By placing this burden on them, we’re sending the wrong message.
What truly troubles me is the pressure placed on these little ones. My heart aches for those who aren’t in a position to participate, through no fault of their own. Not every family has the spare cash or a network of friends and relatives to ask for help.
I can still vividly recall the anxiety I felt as a child when the teacher mentioned activities that required money. Often, I wouldn’t even bother to ask my parents. Even though it was my choice not to join in, I still felt terrible being the only kid left out.
So, when I discovered the envelope on the table, knowing it was due by nine o’clock, I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me. I knew how my son would feel if he missed out. I rushed to the school with the money, but it was already too late. He came home deflated, tears brimming in his eyes, believing he wasn’t allowed to participate in the Fall Frenzy events. In reality, he was only excluded from the prize drawings but didn’t understand the rules because he’s just five. He thought he was missing out on everything.
That day, the school shared photos from the event in their digital newsletter. I spotted my son in the background, biting his lip in that familiar way he does when he’s holding back tears. Picture after picture showed other kids having a blast, while he stood blurred in the background, feeling left out because he didn’t bring money.
This isn’t right. Fundraising pressure shouldn’t fall on children. Feel free to remind me every single day; I am the one with the checkbook. I’m the one who knows who to ask for support. The disappointment should rest on my shoulders, not his.
While the PTO still received my contribution and has my backing, I cannot support fundraising practices that don’t teach our kids the value of money and leave some feeling excluded.
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Summary:
The article expresses concern over PTO fundraising practices that place undue pressure on young students to solicit money from family and friends for school events. It highlights the emotional impact on children who may feel excluded due to financial constraints and questions the ethics of incentivizing fundraising among kids. The author advocates for a shift in how schools approach fundraising to avoid putting burdens on children.