A mom of two could barely believe what she was reading after one of her kids returned home with a letter about their school’s latest initiative.
The mom, who requested to remain anonymous as part of this story and will instead be referred to as Gillian, subsequently took to Reddit to reveal the details of the letter, which outlined the school’s plans for an “Un Fundraiser” for the Parent-Teacher Organization.
“This is a voluntary fundraiser,” the letter begins. “You may choose to participate in lieu of, or in addition to any of the fundraisers we will be doing through the school year.”
At first glance, that seemed ordinary enough. But what made it unusual to Gillian and a true “un-fundraiser” were the options offered to parents. “When I read it, I did a double take because I was like there’s no way the paper says this,” she told Newsweek.
For example, parents were invited to pay $15 if they would “rather not bake anything or shop for cupcakes this year.”
Anyone wishing to “not peddle products to my family and friends from catalogs” could do so for $50.
Meanwhile, parents who did not wish to “run, walk, ride a bike or do any of the ‘fun’ things like these” were invited to pay $75 for the privilege.
Alternatively, a donation of any kind was appreciated from those “happy not to clip, buy, sell or peddle anything this school year, except filling out this form.”
Gillian decided to post a picture of the letter to Reddit.
“I thought other people would find it interesting. Especially those who dislike fund raising, which is most of us,” she said.
Baking at home can be an enjoyable experience. In 2018, a study commissioned by the baking brand Dr. Oetker found that two-thirds of respondents reported an improvement in their mood while baking. The same survey found 61 percent felt happy when they then shared their baked goods with others. It can, however, be a source of tension in social situations.
Gillian is decidedly less keen about baking, though—or rather, baking for a school event. So the idea of an “un-fundraiser” was music to her ears.
“It’s taken a weight off my shoulders, having multiple kids in different schools,” she said. “I’m thrilled I don’t need to cook for 2 bake sales now.”
She’s now hoping that the un-fundraiser ends up being a roaring success and returns again next year. She’s certainly going to make a donation and do her part to make it happen.
“I would continue to donate like this every year they do this kind of fundraiser,” she said.
If it does prove a hit, other schools could even follow suit, bringing an end to bake sales, sponsored bike rides and other fundraisers as a result.
