GREENFIELD — The parent-teacher organizations (PTOs) of five Greenfield schools have teamed up with local businesses to raise money for school supplies and other critical expenses by selling tickets for a “fundraiser calendar.”
This is the first time in recent history that the PTOs at Greenfield Middle School, Federal Street School, the Discovery School at Four Corners, Newton School and the Academy of Early Learning have joined together for a community-wide fundraiser, according to Discovery School and Middle School PTO member Ruth McDonald.
Students and families from each of the schools will sell tickets/calendars to friends and family members throughout February — everyone is advised to sell either virtually or while social distancing. The tickets are $5 each, and every ticket purchased gives the purchaser 31 chances at winning a prize package — one for every day in March.
“With COVID, we had to explore different ways we could raise funds,” McDonald explained. “We brainstormed and came up with the idea to collaborate with local restaurants while building stronger relationships between the schools.”
McDonald said many of the schools have the same needs — supplies for students and teachers.
“We decided to see what other PTOs were doing and see if we could do something together,” she said. “We’re so excited about this.”
Local businesses and community members donated gift cards worth more than $1,900, and all the money raised will be split evenly between the five schools. Each PTO will vote on how to spend its funds, but most have already discussed the need to get school supplies home to students who are learning remotely.
“This was a great way for all of us to come together and support each other,” McDonald said. “It has been a real labor of love. During the pandemic it has been so challenging in so many ways for all of us, but this came together nicely.”
McDonald said supplies might include whiteboard markers, regular markers and art supplies. She said supplies will go to the teachers to be distributed to students.
“We encourage all families to participate,” she said. “Every day there will be a prize package with two or three gift cards. The smallest package is worth $50. Winners’ names will be pulled each day and names will be returned to possibly be pulled again, so there are multiple opportunities for people to win and they could win more than once. Names are pulled randomly.”
McDonald said the fundraiser cost the PTOs very little, because everything was donated.
“We didn’t set a fundraising goal,” she noted. “We just hope it’s very successful.”
If you are interested in purchasing a ticket/calendar or you are a parent who would like sell the tickets/calendars, email ptocalendarfundraiser2021@gmail.com or call McDonald at 413-475-2282. Information will be given on how to pay for and receive a ticket/calendar.
The businesses that donated gift cards include Turners Falls Pizza House, Innovintage Place, Mill River Farm, Brad’s Place, Greenfield Recreation Department, Franklin County YMCA, World Eye Bookshop, Greenfield Garden Cinemas, LOOT Found & Made, Plum Boutique, Townline Ice Cream, Greenfield Games, Moldavite Dreams and Mesa Verde.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 at afritz@recorder.com.