If you live in north Topeka, you have probably experienced a time or two when a fellow student from school has knocked on your door asking to donate to their specific program. We are told almost every day on SVTV to attend certain restaurants on set days asking us to show flyers that will benefit their program. After a certain point, one can only give so much to clubs or organizations. Not only can the donors run out of money, but they can also run out of patience. It is annoying to always be asked to give money to others. Not only do I not want to give my money away, but I don’t have any! Chances are that if a high school student has money, they have worked hard for it and aren’t planning to give it away to benefit others.

It is nice that if you are wanting to support the programs, that there are a wide variety of options to choose from during the fundraising season. For example, the band tries to mix up their fundraising options by switching from cookie dough, to tumbler cups, to Viking apparel. You can also go eat at several different restaurants to support them. Most smaller programs chose to use the method of “(Insert group here) Night at (Insert restaurant here)” that gives them a percentage of the night.

However, some sports teams may bite off more than they can chew while they try to raise money for their program. For example, the softball and baseball teams both battle each other to try and sell the most coupon cards. They are told to not go door-to-door, but to ask their family and friends to buy a $20 coupon card that is only valid for one year. Most in the school know when it is coupon card time because several athletes ask friends and teachers to buy from them.

I understand that programs are in need of more money to purchase their desires for their programs, but maybe everyone trying to fundraise all at once isn’t the answer. The FBLA and FFA clubs host one dance per group a year. They make money for their program while pleasing students around the school with a Friday night activity. One way to make some profits, is to host tournaments. The baseball team puts on a dodgeball tournament for the community and proceeds go to themselves. This is a convenient way to fundraise because the event brings in good money, entertains the people, and is over in one day. I think that many other programs would benefit from this idea if they were to pick up on it.

Instead of the tradition fundraising ways around our school, maybe they can change their ways and switch to doing one-day events. This will help donors not feel as forced to donate since it will be over in one day.