my big idea and the pepperette parade

Are you, too, being bombarded with fundraisers at every turn?
Every kid, in every sport, activity and school seems to be selling something at this time of year. So far, I’ve bought a poinsettia, sausages, Christmas desserts, cheese, chocolate, lasagna, and a variety of raffle tickets. I don’t resent these purchases, having already lived the years of young kids in multiple activities, but the system never seems to change. I remember, as a teenager myself, doing endless fundraisers and bingos for my figure skating team. I remember, during my kids’ school years, doing an active trade with other parents: “I’ll take three gift cards for two packs of pepperettes.” “I’ll trade you ten rolls of gift wrap for five pizza kits.” In such cases, no money actually changed hands, making the entire process feel completely ridiculous. I understand, of course, that without fundraising, the costs of kids’ activities would not be manageable for many people, but surely that could be overcome differently, more efficiently, rather than staying the same for forty years?

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