Just say no!

[sosoclever]

To school fundraising sales, that is.This is something the good spouse and I have been saying for a couple of years now. We would much rather write a check to the PTA and have it all go to the school, than feel obligated to sell crap to our families and friends and make some fundraising company rich

Comments

[nonabloch]

I completely agree with you.

However. . . :)

Here's my take. I am on the board for the local Jewish community day school here in Tulsa. They have several PTO fundraisers through the year.

One of the big ones is the book sale, which usually does quite well. I would think that parents would much rather buy books for their kids than hawk candy bars to their coworkers.

Another one is the Passover sale - in years past its been a candy sale, with kosher for Passover candy. That stuff, especially the good tasting stuff, is hard to get here in Tulsa. We also made the suggestion that they sell matzah for the Passover sale. Everyone has to get matzah and so they might as well buy the stuff that is going to benefit the school.

So I guess my take is that if the stuff is practical or useful, like the books or Passover items, then it doesn't bother me so much. But the popcorn and candy and wrapping paper (they never have Hanukah paper) and all that other stuff drives me crazy.

Even Girl Scout cookies make me nuts. Although they are

[quiet_dignitea]

Sometimes there's Hanukah stuff. I once bought a really pretty candle holder that's blue and silver with stars and stuff. I like it, but it has religious significance that's not mine, so I don't feel right using it and it sits around gathering dust. I'll take a picture if I can manage it.

[nonabloch]

Is it a single candle holder? Like for one candle? Or is a Menorah or Hanukiah, meant to be used for Hanukah?

If its just a single candle holder, then I wouldn't be too worried about the religious significance. Unless its designed to hold a Havdallah candle (braided candle) then its probably just a candle holder.

A lot of companies think that they can take every day items and make them "Hanukah items" by making them in blue or white or silver. Its a nice gesture I suppose, but not exactly the same thing.

[sosoclever]

Yes. Practical, useful, related stuff is fine. The magazine sales don't bother me too much. If you're going to subscribe, why not let some of the money go to the school. It's the rest of it.

We have seen Hanukah paper and stuff, like the candleholder quiet_dignitea mentioned, but it is rare. If they've got that, they usually have Kwanzaa merchandise, too.

[nonabloch]

Y'all must be using different companies than the schools in Oklahoma. Because I rarely if ever see Hanukah items. At best, we get blue paper with silver snowflakes. Not exactly a good Hanukah motif. :)

[sosoclever]

I've seen blue paper with silver Stars of David, and I think I've even seen dreidls, or at least wrapping paper with dreidls on it. I know there was at least one year the Things brought home a catalogue with a couple pages of Hanukah stuff. I don't remember which company that was from.

[quiet_dignitea]

[nonabloch]

Ah okay, now I get it.

I wouldn't consider it a religious piece - more like a decorative votive holder like anyone would use in their home.

But I can understand your reluctance.

If it makes you feel better, I give you permission to use it! :) Or maybe find a local Jewish org to donate it. Or garage sale.