GREENFIELD — The parent-teacher organizations of five Greenfield schools hope to up their fundraising efforts this year with the second annual calendar fundraiser.
“Our goal this year is to get to $10,000,” said Middle School PTO President Ruth McDonald, adding that last year — in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic — families were able to raise $7,500. “That way each school would get $2,000.”
Students and families from each of the five schools — Greenfield Middle School, Federal Street School, the Discovery School at Four Corners, Newton School and the Academy of Early Learning — will sell tickets/calendars to friends and family members through April 26. The tickets are $5 each, and every ticket purchased gives that individual 31 chances at winning a prize package — one for every day in May.
“We did this fundraiser last year for the first time,” McDonald said, noting fundraisers are typically more isolated efforts between schools. “The five school PTOs … got together and collaborated on pulling this fundraiser together, because we were looking for a way to help raise funds that would be more equitable across the five schools, really supporting one another and helping to build a little more community.”
She added that a near district-wide fundraiser helps to streamline the efforts of families with children in multiple schools, rather than asking them to juggle a few different fundraisers at once.
“I think it simplifies it for families,” she noted.
The fundraiser is also low cost, meaning material expenses won’t cut into the profit from money raised.
“We’re really grateful for the businesses who were willing to donate gift cards and services to this fundraiser, because it makes such a huge difference in our community,” McDonald added.
In total, more than $2,600 in prizes from businesses throughout Franklin County were donated.
McDonald said the money will benefit each school in unique ways, depending on their particular needs.
“There are some specific ways that schools were looking to use this money,” McDonald explained. “Some are looking for books to help fill in some gaps in their libraries. … The Academy of Early Learning is looking to buy sensory tables for the students there … and I know, at the middle school, we’re really hoping to put some money toward reusable water bottles for each student.”
Anyone who is interested in buying a ticket is asked to reach out to a family with children in one of the five schools for more information. Tickets can also be purchased by emailing calendarfundraiser2022@gmail.com.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne