Need Advice Aboout School Fundraiserd

You could also ask vendors like myself to donate baskets. I am a chocolatier with Dove Chocolate Discoveries and would be willing to donate some items. Who doesn't like chocolate!

T. Dayton
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www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/tammydayton

At the school I was working at, the PTA did this same thing. They actually made it the option/responsibility of the teachers to choose a basket theme and have parents donate items for the basket or money to the teacher to go fill the basket. You can also suggest that a room mom be responsible for that since most of the time teachers don't want to collect actual $... I gave my students the chance to vote on the theme so they would be more excited about it. One year we did an outdoor grilling basket. We put a small grill in it, grilling utensils, pot holders, etc. One class did a gift card basket, baby stuff, crafts, sports, kids games for he car, etc. It made for more inventive themes too because we could choose from the list or make any theme we wanted. It seemed a lot easier than one person being responsible for all of it. Good luck! Have fun!

gift certificates to babies r us, bibs outfits pacis. small pack of diapers... hope this helps!

You could make a rainy day basket. Buy a small child sized umbrella, open it and turn it over and fill it with books and crayons, coloring books, maybe even some snacks. All things to do on a rainy day. As far as items for the baby baskets...bathtime items are always great. A soft towel and baby wash. Maybe a soothing CD. Also maybe someone has an old monitor that they would donate and you could make one a safety basket. Outlet plugs, cabinet stops, etc. Hope any of this helps :)

J., Oh! Baby baskets can be fun! I would love to offer you our ABC baby line for a donation! It's with Arbonne International and has the wash, lotion, oil, sunscreen and rash ointment. Also, have you thought about an aromatherapy basket? I could send a few things to you for that as well. Let me know if you are interested...on the baby baskets, cute little plastic keys, spoons, fun little bibs, a "wookie"(pacifier), baby washcloths...so many fun things! It would take some money if they are interested. Also, check out www.vipfundraising.com they offer fundraising for different groups, you can even call them at 888.769.9020 Good luck and let me know! ____@____.com

He J.. I sell Pampered Chef. We are always willing to donate products for things like that. I didn't notice your location but I'm in the greater Memphis area.
www.pamperedchef.biz/jenphelps

I actually organized a fundraiser for my children's preschool. The baskets per class are perfect. Some other ideas are game night, movie night with Blockbuster GC, popcorn, 6pk coke, pizza GC, party basket for a child's bday party from plates to napkins, etc or an adult party basket, a stationery basket with pens, paper, tea cups, teas, etc. A coffee basket with mugs, coffee beans, starbucks gift card, low key music CD. Also, you can send out a letter to parents if they have a business that they would be willing to donate a service, their time, etc grass cutting, handyman work for two hours, etc Some teenagers of parents can donate babysitting service, ie: 3 hours babysitting. Parents can also donate sports tickets...our auction had Predators tickets and Titans tickets. Some parents donated Avon, Pampered Chef, Longaberger, Stampin' Up, etc baskets. Another thing that brings A LOT of money is for you to get on the phone and call local businesses and ask if they can donate a gift card or service that is tax deductible. You can get the tax form from the school to give each a copy of the tax ID number. For example I called around and got restaurants to give gift cards, I got a dentist to give a teeth whitening, I got my salon to donate a mani and pedi gift card, a spa donated a massage, etc You would be surprised how many ppl want to help b/c it gives them a tax write off while getting them new customer contacts. As far as the baby basket: onesies, diapers, wipes, baby butt cream, shampoo, wash cloths, gas drops, stuffed animal, baby Einstein videos, books, gift certi to Babies R Us or any other baby boutique, etc Anything that someone having a new baby would need or would like to give as a shower gift. Our small preschool (only 66 students) brought in over $1,700!!! Also, have some parents make some pies, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, etc and wrap them separately and sell them for $1 each at a bake table. Good luck! The phone calling takes only a little bit of your time and it is well worth it! W.

Why are you planning themed baskets only? Was this part of the assignment? The most successful silent auctions that I've known had gift baskets in addition to individually donated items.
I think that with today's economy, parents who might be willing to pay $10 for a donated like-new jewelry box or large picture frame, won't necessarily be willing or able to offer $25 to $75 for a theme basket that includes things they won't use. By providing some individual items, you would reach a wider range of parents who could contribute to the fundraising effort.
Every spring, my son's old high school band's primary fundraiser for the year is a silent auction held on about 10 long tables of donated good quality individual items in addition to a variety of gift baskets. They have wonderful items and are always very successful.

I would also consider an arts and crafts basket-crosstitch patterns, needles, thread, etc,

scrapbooking basket-album, papers, scissors, stickers,etc.

Movie night basket-various DVD, Pizza coupons, popcorn, soda and candy, etc.

Baby basket-baby album, bottles, pacifier, bibs, baby toys, baby eintstein DVDs, Babies first 5 years book-american academy of pediatrics.

J., My son's school does this every year and it is a great way to raise money. I would suggest that you assign each classroom to a specific basket such as Mrs. Smith's Class brings in items for the boy baby basket, Mrs. Jones class brings in items for the kitchen basket, etc. That way there is no confusion about what should be in each basket. The parents in the different classrooms will bring in items pertaining to their theme. The baskets that go for the most money at our school are the Carolina Panthers basket (I would find out if anyone has season tickets and would be willing to give up one game for their child's school), also a Golf Package basket, Chocolate Lovers basket, Car Wash basket, Pampered Mom basket, etc. You could have a room parent to buy an inexpensive step stool and have all of the kindergarten children put their fingerprints on with paint and I will guarantee that to go for big bucks. You could have second grade to paint a picture, each taking turns at a swipe on the canvas. (You could ask the art teacher to help you with that.) You will be surprised at how many businesses will donate items such as a canvas to your school. Go out and ask you local country club for a round of golf for your golf basket.
If you leave it up to the parents to bring in items for a specific basket, they will surprise you and bring in nice items.
Best wishes to you.

J.,
For your chef basket were you planning on kitchen tools or a meal? If your doing a meal I attended a silent auction with food baskets. The one we got had a small box of minute rice, a can of chicken breast and a can of cream of chicken/mushroom soup. There was also a can of fruit and a can of vegtable (green beans or carrots). It had a recipe for creamy chicken and rice. I do not remember how much I paid for it. It became one of the kids favorite meals when they were younger. They are teenagers now and it's still a favorite. Now I just double the recipe to feed them. It is an easy and quick dinner. If your doing a basket with kitchen items I would include an apron, oven mitts, some kitchen towels along wit utensils and maybe something special a gadget. At the auction I attended they had a chocolate basket filled with all sorts of chocolate candy and a fruit basket. That one was made up the day of the auction from the local fruit market. Another food meal would be pasta and sauce with parmesan cheese and vegtable. If you want the recipe for the creamy chicken and rice just email me. Good Luck. C.

They did this at my daughters school. There were bottles, bibs, burp clothes, wipes, rattles, blankets, bottle cleaners, lotion, powder, onsies, socks, nail clippers, the list is endless. Also they had went to a local bank and asked the bank to donate a 50 savings bond and they did. This was an added feature. They chose parents to be ahead of each basket and it was their responsibility to get other parents involved. You would be suprised with what you get for the basket. You would also be suprised what it auctions for.

You can get donations pretty easily when you mention that it is going to a school system.

I work for a school system and get regular donations from:

Food Lion
Lowes (hardware, not Food)
Fairfield Inn (usually a one night stay)
Local Restaurants (the mom and pop ones give me a dinner to donate)
Backyard Burger
Cracker Barrell
Walmart (always pretty generous to the schools)
Your local golf courses (9 holes or 18 holes)
your local car washes
local book shops

I CAN NEVER get donations from McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell or that sort of chain restaurant other than a free fry type of thing.

The others though can donate some hefty gift cards for you to auction off. My experience is that our local Food Lions work off of each other - when one donates, the manager always sends me to the other one that is about 6 miles away in another town for him to "meet the dontation".

Good luck with your silent auction! I hope it is very successful!

B.

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I was a first time PTO president last year and we do this as part of our Fall Festival. Themed baskets are done per grade. We have great success with this yearly. I live in SE Ohio and the 2 biggest sellers are the John Deere and the hunting baskets. The family fun night basket is usually split in two, it has movie DVDs, games, popcorn and other treats. Other themes are Kitchen, Gardening, Holiday, mom's spa relaxation and a candy/chocolate basket. We give the candy theme to the older kids, they usually drop interest in doing stuff. The baby basket can have all types of things - blankets, lotions, toys, and food. Since they do this yearly, I did not have to ask for specific requests, but it might be a good idea!

Good luck!!!

My daughter's school does a silent auction each year with about 50 themed baskets, and it's always a big hit. I can't remember them all, but I know they have done chocolate, games (Uno, Monopoly etc.), camping out, first aid kit, and sports lover.

several girl and boy baskets- themed girly and all boy. Sports baskets are a big hit, esp if you can get an autographed ball, and tickets to something. A play basket- tickets, candy, popcorn, soda etc. How about a "comfort' basket, one of those gorgeous soft blankets, a neck warmer, spa certificate. A spa basket- with gift cert for mani and pedi etc.

This can be a very lucrative fundraiser. First, ask the school if you're allowed to ask for donations from businesses. You'd need a tax number on school letterhead explaining what's going on, and that it can be a tax deductible donation should they choose to help. Our school and my husband's office have made a considerable amount of money on this type of fundraiser. Here are a few ideas for your baskets:

1)Auto Care- Armor All wipes/spray, Rain-X bottle, air fresheners, clip for sunglasses or garage opener, collapsible sun visors, chamois, wax, bag of rags, carpet cleaner, paper towels, gift certificate for a car wash, window cleaner spray or wipes, visor-attachable cd holder, even a roll of quarters for the car wash could be tossed in.

2)Romance- A romantic movie such as The Notebook, a bottle of wine with two wine glasses, cool bottle cork, corkscrew, scented candles with a lighter, gift certificate for a nice restaurant, chocolates/truffles, chocolate covered strawberries, novelty dice that name body parts on one and actions on the other, massage oil, gift certificate for a couples massage, bath bubbles and maybe silky his/her robes.

3)Kitchen- Ask a Pampered Chef consultant about their awesome grilling kitchen tools. They offer heat resistant grill spatula ALL men love as well as tongs, a meat thermometer, gourmet seasonings, chef's knife w/sharpener, cutting board, cook book and garlic press. Add an apron, towel/pot holder/oven mitt set, dishsoap, hand soap, kitchen antibacterial spray, cooking utensils set and a magnetic kitchen timer.

4)Family Fun- Board game for all ages such as Yahtzee, Trouble or Memory, microwave popcorn, 2 liter soda, colorful bowl and/or cup set for popcorn and soda, gift certificate to rent a movie, assortment of candies, fast food gift certificate, bubbles, frisbee, picnic blanket, jump rope, deck of cards or card games. Wendy's once gave me a stack of coupons for free frosty's. I put some in each basket as a little bonus.

Make sure to advertise ahead of time one highlight of each basket to maximize the number of participants in attendance. It's a good idea to get a local spa to donate those high-end items like massages and car care places for free lubes or washes because it's good for their business as well. Remember to make a list of contents and place it next to its basket. This way you can wrap the baskets with cellophane and big bows or ribbon for more appeal. People like to browse before making a bid. Make sure you get someone with lots of personality to auction your baskets, someone who's not afraid to coax people into out-bidding other people. Have fun and make lots of money!

Do a movie basket. Have parents donate DVD's of newly released movies, popcorn, Raisinettes/Candy, gift cards to Blockbuster, etc. It will be a hit. Also, you could do a pamper yourself basket with lotions, bath salts, bubble baths, a terry robe, candles, etc. Another idea is to do a basket that will lure the fathers in. My husband did a fishing basket with a fishing rod/reel, tackle box, artificial bait, hooks, corks, weights, the basket could be a cooler, you could also put snacks in this basket like canned drinks, snack crackers and cookies, etc. These items tend to be very inexpensive except for the fishing rod/reel and cooler. You would want to have someone with fishing experience pick/purchase the rod, unless you're one of these women who know alot about fishing. You could also do a sports themed basket, maybe get someone to donate tickets to a sporting event (basketball, football, etc). Include jerseys, balls, the tickets, ballcaps, etc. into the basket. It would be a neat basket too and some of these items can be expensive but some could be pretty reasonable if you look in the right places and as far as tickets go, they could be cheap tickets to see the Charlotte Bobcats play. You can build off of this idea and do a NASCAR Theme as well if you want to attract men to this fundraiser. A kitchen basket would be good for women too - get you some cookie cutters, wooden spoons, cookie sheets, gift baking kits, cookbooks, potholders, etc. Hope these ideas help.

We always did a junk food basket, a gardening basket, a kid's craft basket, a kid's book basket, and enchanted evening out basket, a tailgate basket, a family game night basket. We always assigned each grade a basket and had the parents donate items to fill the baskets their class was assigned or send in a money donation we could use to fill the basket. We also had a pizza party or dress down day incentive for the class that brought in the most donated items to really get a move on filling the baskets. We wouldn't list items needed for the baskets. We let the parents donate the items they wanted to see in the baskets, since they were going to be the ones bidding on them. Also, you might want to get with the art teacher and have her come up with one project per grade to work on it during class time with the kids. Any items the kids make themselves usually go for the highest bid. Who wouldn't want to bid on something their child actually made?

Some basket ideas: books, arts, crafts, candles, bath sets, picnic. You may also consider going to some retailers and restaurants in the area and explain what you are doing and see they would like to donate anything.

sometimes teachers will donate a tea party for girls or basketball game for a group of friends, popular teachers can bring in the bids, can be lunch with the teacher, principal, coach, etc. Craft project after school with teacher, parking space for a year, front row seats at graduation ceremony, if you haven't sent out word to parents they can donate services from their businesses (free portrait sitting, tax services, etc.) A lot of time restaurants will donate a gift card, golf courses a round a of golf,etc. Themes: summer fun, themed dinner baskets w/o perishables, reading basket, game basket, sports basket, beach/pool toy baskets are some that have done well. Good Luck!