Fund-Raising Q & A
How do my contributions to the PTA help Rosemary Hills?
Every dollar we raise goes directly toward our school. Because of parents’ contributions, Rosemary Hills PTA has been able to fund so many great initiatives at our school. RHPS PTA has funded important afterschool programs for children, purchased an upgraded sound system for assemblies and meetings, and sponsored creative hands-on art and music projects for our children as a part of the artist in residence project. The PTA has funded exciting assemblies; teacher grants for training; equipment and classroom materials otherwise not available; and so much more. And we anticipate the need for PTA funds only to grow.
I’d like to know where my money is going. What is the PTA going to use its fundraising dollars for this year?
In addition to funding its year long schedule of activities, RHPS PTA provides grants to improve and enhance our school for the long-term. Funds will be used for educational and community support. The PTA has purchased beautiful new playground equipment that all of our children enjoy daily. We will continue the Rainbow Kids Homework Club for kids who need a little bit of extra help throughout the year. The Rosemary Hills PTA will continue to support the cultural arts, which includes the artist in residence program. We support our school and our kids and are open to learning about other requests for funding.
What types of fundraisers are held throughout the year?
There are several fundraisers held throughout the year, and your involvement in each of them is what makes us achieve our goals.
The Silent Auction – This is by far the largest fundraiser of the year, and our goal this year is to raise upwards of $42,000 at the auction! But aside from being a venue for raising money for Rosemary Hills, it is a fun, adult-only evening and community building event. This year’s auction will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Glenview Mansion in Rockville, Maryland. You can participate in the auction in many ways; by attending, by contributing bid items, and by purchasing items the night of the auction. And the diversity of items to bid on is huge – from your child’s class creation, to a pizza party with your child’s teacher, to a weeklong getaway in a beach home. The options are many, so mark your calendar to attend! This event is only as successful as Rosemary Hills Parents make it!
Buy Sally Foster Gift Wrap and Gift Items – Sally Foster RHPS Code 501409 - Who among us with children doesn’t have a need for wrapping paper, note cards, or small gifts, perfect for the bus driver, your child’s teacher, or someone special in your life. Be it for the Saturday morning birthday parties, or the holidays, buying and selling Sally Foster wrapping paper is a no brainer for most of us. Our goal this year for Sally Foster is to raise $10,000 through this fundraiser. Fifty percent of every purchase goes directly to the RHPS PTA. And by using the RHPS Code 501409 on-line purchases can be credited to our school all year long! For more information, visit the Sally Foster Fundraising Site.
Book Fair – Visit this book fair and buy books! Our goal is to raise $5,000 for the PTA through this book fair. Have enough books at home? Need the perfect gift for your children or your nieces and nephews? How about a way to stock up on birthday gifts? The Book Fair is also an excellent way to purchase books that will go directly into your child’s classroom.
Spirit Wear – Support your PTA and wear RHPS colors. Look good. And you don’t even need to move from your chair – just go to this link in order to purchase cute, fresh Rosemary Hills clothing for you and your children.
Buy Your Child’s Art – The Original Works spring fundraiser puts your children’s artwork on the fun and useful items that can be purchase for yourself or for gifts. Coffee cups, aprons, night lights. There’s something for everyone. We anticipate raising over $2,400 for the PTA through this fun program! Information of this fundraiser will come to you through Back Pack mail.
Grocery Store Receipts and Savings Cards – We all grocery shop – why not give our kids credit for what we buy? This could be the easiest of them all. All this takes is a minute to register – click here on this link for specific directions on how to register your purchases from your grocery store.
Box Tops for Education – Collect Box Tops for Education labels on General Mills products to yield funds for Rosemary hills. Make it a family contest as to who can find the most! For more information, visit Box Tops for Education.
Can’t I just write a check to the PTA?
Of course! If all of this seems to be too much for you and you want to ensure that your entire contribution goes directly to the RHPS PTA and to no other entity, we would appreciate your contribution very much! The PTA can take your tax-deductible contribution at any time. Here is the form for direct donations.
And Most Importantly… Become a Member of the RHPS PTA – Did you know that most of your PTA dues stay right here at Rosemary Hills. We anticipate raising $3,200 this year – just in membership dues! And only PTA members can vote at meetings – so join today!
Prepared by Ann Jablon, V.P. of Fundraising at RHPS-PTA
