Area schools take innovative steps to raise money

Wrapping paper and magazine subscriptions are not enough anymore.

Local schools employ glamour and ingenuity to raise money these days, holding candle-lit concerts and turning students into waiters at local restaurants.

All of it translates into making major money for school organizations like parent teacher associations and booster clubs.

According to the National Association of Elementary School Principals, schools and youth groups raise $2 billion each year through product sales.

The not-for-profit group also reports that 76 percent of principals say the need for fund raising has increased in recent years. However, in a survey by NAESP, 62 percent of principals said they would end fund raising if possible.

In Cape Girardeau, school parent/teacher groups and booster clubs raised anywhere from $1,600 last year to $60,000.

All together, those groups raised $285,206 during the 2004-2005 school year, about $6,000 more than was raised the year before.

However, not all of that is profit, school officials say. Some money goes right back to fund-raiser companies that provide the goods sold.

Around $275,000 raised in 2004-2005 was spent, either paying off the companies or on school-related purchases.

Figures from the Jackson School District were not available, though students there participate in similar fund-raising events. This year, members of the Jackson High School football team spent a night working at the Branding Iron restaurant to help raise money to feed the team on road trips.

"Our problem is feeding 80 kids. It's a tremendous deficit for our athletic program," said athletic director Kevin Bohnert. "Instead of just going out and asking for money, this is a neat thing where kids actually get involved. And it's also great public relations for the program and benefits the restaurant, too."

Bohnert said the girls' basketball team does something similar, volunteering to work booths at Jackson's Homecomers celebration in exchange for donations.

While many school groups still participate in traditional product fund-raisers, selling everything from scrapbooking supplies to candles to cookie dough and flower seeds, more and more are coming up with innovative ways to gain community support.

Central Junior High School choir director Mike Dumey decided to capitalize on his students' talent this year to earn money for wireless microphones needed for the school's spring production.

With the help of parent volunteers and some donations from the community, Dumey put together "An Encore Evening with Annie and Friends" -- a reprise of past musicals performed by junior high students. The upscale event featured Southeast Missouri State University voice instructor Judith Farris as well as past an current students, gourmet desserts and candlelight.

"If people know there's a specific need and can see what the funds are going toward that certainly helps the cause," Dumey said. "It's become a very trying thing to not reproduce what other groups doing. There are car washes, bake sales, auctions. You name it, you see it. Many teachers are very resourceful when need is there."

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128