This is the time of year when my doorbell rings constantly with little tykes offering up their pleas for me to purchase something from their school, team or organization fundraisers. I dread seeing these little salespeople because I don’t want to disappoint them by saying no.
I remember the days when my own kids brought home their catalogues and purchase orders that they were expected to sell. They whined and cried about having to go door-to-door so it ended up being us – their parents – that had to do their selling for them. Of course, I wanted them to win prizes for being the best fundraisers, but there had to be a limit.
I pity all my co-workers, neighbours, friends, relatives and – especially – their grandparents who couldn’t say no even though no-one really wanted the stuff.
I also got stuck with a lot of magazine subscriptions, candles, Christmas ornaments, coupon books, cases of cookies and chocolate bars to name a few items.
Now the tables have turned and my co-workers constantly ask if I want to purchase something their children are selling. I don’t want to have to dodge them all day but I have to put my foot down and limit my purchases. I now only buy things that I like, mostly consumables such as popcorn, Girl Guide cookies and chocolate-covered almonds. I may start resembling Miss Piggy but I’ve accumulated enough junk items that clutter up my home to buy more.
A lot of sports teams and organizations such as Boy Scouts also require parents to donate their time to running bingos and other such pursuits to raise money.
Some schools and organizations now have an opt-out option where the parents pay a fee instead and they don’t have to participate in the fundraisers.
Do you think that’s a valid option, considering the initial high cost of fees and supplies? How do you deal with these fundraisers?
