Paying it forward to the next generation and beyond
Posted by Responsible-Maize-86@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Mother of 2 kids who are now 25 and 28. Raising a child has at least one guarantee - school fundraisers. I salute all my former coworkers who bought stuff and supported my kids’ schools. I’m older now - 48. When I see coworkers advertising fundraisers for their kids’ schools, I’ll try to buy at least one item. Same with wedding gifts and baby showers - so many this year and that’s beautiful! There were so many people who helped me when I was starting out. I feel like it’s important that each generation give back what they can as they grow older. My Boomer parents certainly set that example for me. Side note: kindness is a wonderful thing to pay forward as well - no cost.
newwriter365@reddit
I just donate to the fundraiser. I don’t need chocolate, wrapping paper or candles.
yorkiemom68@reddit
I do this with Girl Scout Cookies lol! If I buy the Thin Mints, I eat the whole box so that's a "no".
newwriter365@reddit
Such a small percentage of the cost of that one box goes to the local group that I just give them some cash and they can decide what to do with it.
Also Aldi is carrying thin mint cookies now, and they are about 1/3 the price of the GS thin mints, which tells us a lot about vendors who exploit not for profit fundraising.
ridbax@reddit
Same. As a former PTO parent, the percentage of sales given to the school’s org is minimal. If I buy $50 worth of gift wrap, the PTO/A/booster club/whatever gets maybe five dollars. If I donate $50 directly, the school organization gets $50.
newwriter365@reddit
Exactly. And the whole, “it teaches children salesmanship” argument is completely false. Whether it’s Girl Scouts, sports fundraiser or school fundraisers, the parents are doing the work.
stuck_behind_a_truck@reddit
But I love my World’s Finest Chocolate with the almonds. I’ll buy those all day.
NorseGlas@reddit
Toblerones??? That’s the only thing kids ever sold for fund raisers at my school.
I’m pretty sure they were mostly sold to other students also…. I don’t remember anyone’s parents ever getting involved unless the parents owned a store and the kids could leave a box of toblerones on the counter to sell themselves.
newwriter365@reddit
That’s cool.
I have a sweet tooth and if I see sweets I eat them. It’s just better for me to not have them in the house.
Tater72@reddit
I don’t like chocolate so any kids that come to my door selling for a fundraiser goes away with their own chocolate bar
Vallden@reddit
I agree. It's kinda sad that some people want something in return for charity donations.
Teacher-Investor@reddit
Some schools don't allow straight donation campaigns, where the donor doesn't get something in return for their support, while others don't allow selling products. It's a weird mix, but it mostly depends on each school's fundraising policy.
MrExCEO@reddit
Paying it forward is always nice, just do it within your means. With the holidays coming up I always like to drop a $20 to the teenage kid working the drive through. They always freak out and get so happy.
thirtyone-charlie@reddit
My parents are older. The silent generation. The best thing they ever taught me was to give. My dad is gone but he was the most peaceful person. Mom is still going strong and gives all she can Ben living in a budget.
LittleCeasarsFan@reddit
Been at my job twenty years, probably have purchased at least 250 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
Reeeeallly@reddit
I WISH I had coworkers and neighbors with kids to help out with fundraisers. When Girl Scouts set up a cookie stand at the supermarket, I always buy quite a bit and give them away. We had so many fundraisers when I was a kid and I'd like to pay it forward.
Whitey1969SC@reddit
By the time our kids hit high school. We just bought whatever fundraiser tickets, bad popcorn, candles etc. I started feeling guilty hitting up friends neighbors and relatives after 7 years of it.
Girl Scout cookies were a different story. I’d buy 1000 boxes and expense them. Then give them to customers.
Quickwitknit2@reddit
Deadass that wrapping paper though. I miss it. Like you I’m now the first person asked for those sales and I’m always happy to donate.
mldyfox@reddit
I always bought from the fundraisers for my coworkers' kids. Then they bought from my kid's fundraisers. And now I buy from my niece.
I enjoy girl scout cookies and boy scout popcorn, so if I see someone's selling those in the office I'll get some. Now they sell at the grocery stored, so I buy there also.
This is such a lovely thing to think about today. Helping kids is a wonderful feeling.
Spicy_Taurus_79@reddit
🏆you win the internet today
IrishRun@reddit
This really resonates with me, I try to do the same. It represents the circle of life and feels deeply rewarding to do for others. Thank you for putting it into words🙏
MaximumJones@reddit
Thin Mints RULE!!!
SecretMiddle1234@reddit
I like the ones where they ask for cash. I don’t want the candy, etc.
gatadeplaya@reddit
Yesterday the middle school near my polling place set up a bake sale. We were in line for 1.5 hours and I thought it was a brilliant move on their part. I was happy to support and thrilled to get a little snack!
Auntie_Amy@reddit
As someone who is child free, I buy things from school fundraisers because of all the wonderful people who bought Girl Scout cookies, chocolate bars for orchestra and chicken dinners for theatre from me.
NoGood2154@reddit
my wife & I favorite thing while out looking at yard sales is stopping at the kid with the lemonade stand and cookies or whatever they are selling. we generally tip well when they are selling for a dollar or whatever, we'll give them $5.00 and tell them to keep the change.