I’ve already written about how my daughter’s first year of school was great except for one thing—I wish I could have been more involved.
Since she goes to a small private school, the administration is always asking for help with events, with fundraisers, in the classroom. It gets to be a bit overwhelming and since I’m working from home most of the day, I feel like I’m stuck in this weird space in the middle.
Sure, I have no “real boss” who will shake her head “No” at me when I ask to leave work early to go volunteer at my daughter’s school, but I have a boss named Tara (me) who values her sleep and would prefer if I didn’t spend 3 hours in the middle of the day doing anything other than work.
Here comes Box Tops to the rescue!
The photo above is all that I have collected on my own since June, when I went to Minneapolis as part of the African American Box Tops For Education Blogger Panel. Those little 10 cent coupons you see on various General Mills products (as well as a variety of other brands)? They add up, and quickly.
So I’ve been clipping. And clipping. And clipping. With as much Gogurt as we buy and as many boxes of Cheerios stay in rotation in my house, I should be able to help my daughter’s school make a decent dent in their fundraising efforts. While I was in Minneapolis, I learned about “Click & Earn,” where you go on the Box Tops website, click around for a bit, and get money sent to your child’s school.
Case in point, I answered a few survey questions while my kids were getting ready for bed and in the 5 minutes it takes them to get their pajamas on, I earned $1 for my daughter’s school. It’s pretty darn simple.
So now I’m a woman obsessed dedicated. I’m meeting with the school coordinator soon and I’ll be able to share some ideas on how our school can get more money. I feel like even if I can’t be the “room mom” or a lunch time monitor, I can at least do this and have a real impact on the school.
I work full-time and have only so much vacation time. So, I know exactly how you feel about not being involved in school. Last year, I collected and counted boxtops for 3 classrooms! It made me feel better about being more active. I will have to check out the Click and Learn link!
Ooh… now you KNOW that I love this idea. So gonna steal it from you!
Love Box Tops! I’m donating 200 to a school in my hometown because they have had some serious budget cuts and need the money. I’ll also be donating to our church preschool in Charlotte.
OMG I so feel you on this!!! My daughter also attends a private school (just started pre-k last Sept) and the admin is always asking for volunteers, chaperones, fundraisers, donations, etc literally like every week. I honestly feel jealous of the moms who are actually able to do those things for there children consistently, I know it means a lot to the kids. I’m in college full-time and it is very demanding of my attention during her school hours, so I feel guilty about that. But at the same time, I’m 22 years old and most of the moms are in there mid 30’s so it can be awkward lol :/ ANYWAY, I’ll definitely look into the box top stuff! That would be a fun thing to do w/ my daughter, too.
Tara – we are obsessed about Box tops at our house too!!! And I also wish I could have done more volunteering last year. So, I am happy that I am able to contribute by collecting box tops. It’s quite addictive once you get going.
Tara, I truly enjoyed reading your article. You definitely Made a Difference. Each little 10 cent coupon adds up. I am a Box Tops Mom and Coordinator for 4 years now, love every minute of being involved and raising the bar with Box Tops for our School. Thank you for sharing your story. Anna
Tara, I hope to meet you at Nationals this year! Anna
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