My son’s school sent home another fundraiser packet.
This one is for candles. Last month was cookie dough. Before that, wrapping paper. Before that, a fun run where I paid money so my child could run around the same field he already runs around for free.
The prize for selling thirty candles is a plastic drone that will break before dinner.
I work full time. I do not want to pressure coworkers, relatives, or the woman who cuts my hair into buying a twenty eight dollar candle called Coastal Homework.
I sent twenty dollars directly to the school and returned the packet untouched. My son says this means he cannot attend the prize party.
Was I supposed to participate anyway?
The prize is always worth less than the gas used to deliver it.
I stopped selling and started sending twenty dollars.
My coworkers have bought enough cookie dough to qualify as relatives.
I support the school. I do not support pyramid scheme popcorn.
Fundraisers are parent homework with a catalog.
The plastic prize will break before the fundraiser ends.
A direct donation saves everybody’s dignity.
Actual teacher here. We do not need another mug.