"Great... more fundraisers" Before you say "UGH" and roll your eyes....

I know, I know... we're all fundraised out!  I am too.

So, I'm going to approach this in a new way.  I'm not going to tell you that I've been elected Fundraising Chair of the Band Boosters at Countryside High School. I'm also not going to tell you that we have a LOT of great local events coming up this month where you can catch a bit of what our awesome Band and Colorguard can do. I'm also not going to tell you that we have a LOT of great fundraising ideas. (Ok, I guess I did.)

I am going to ask for your help.  Please help us do it better!

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit. We do not get much financial help from the school or district.  We run the concession stand at football games and do fundraisers, but otherwise families pay fees for uniforms, instruments, flags, weapons (yup, rifles and sabres), choreography, music, lessons, instructors, camps, competitions, and pickles.

You'll hear more about the program, but for now, we have to figure out how to pay for everything.

Last year we sold Entertainment Books, had car washes, and sold flowers, drink tumblers and things like this. We also staff the parking lot at Brighthouse Field with volunteers for Spring training. This is a big fundraiser for us, and we are always looking for volunteers to help out!

WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE DO? What would you get excited about?

What would be a win/win partnership with a local business? (or 2 or 10?) Who do we know that is looking for a tax deduction and that wonderful feeling that they will get knowing they are helping kids who will go on to college and make the world a better place?

Oh yeah, there is cross-promotion!  Maybe we could put up a banner for your business at the concession stand? Maybe we could paint your business logo on our trailer that goes to all of the competitions and travels all over the state?

Or maybe you'd like to get that fabulous feeling yourself! We're collecting items for silent auction starting TODAY! You have a gift card in your wallet you're never going to use, I know you do... give it to us and we'll turn it into the money to buy a jacket for a student who otherwise couldn't buy it.

How about that gift you got that STILL has the tag on it? We can include it in a basket at auction and turn that into a fee scholarship for a student in need.

Perhaps you are an artist...you could donate a piece of your work and we could feature it in an Artful tasting where guests could bid on it and order more of your work!!!

You own a restaurant? Fantastic... send us a few gift certificates and you will have brand new customers in the door who will be loyal because they know you are supporting your local high school... we are a loyal bunch!!!

Please give us a chance. These are great kids. They are staying out of trouble because they are so busy with practice, competitions, performances, volunteering, fundraising and school work. They are happy, they are kind to each other and they need your help.  This is something you want to be a part of. Give us a year... please.

For more information on how to help out, please contact me using one of these methods:

-Email: countrysidecristine@yahoo.com

-My personal Facebook page

-Countryside High School Band of Pride website

Thank you!!