Monday, November 12, 2007

Healthy fundraisers equal healthy news coverage

Schools that banish the junk food and embrace healthful fundraising activities often enjoy positive press coverage as a result, as this Chronicle-Telegram story underscores:

"...the Westview Elementary PTA came up with a new way of helping the school that... really got the kids moving.

"During two sessions Friday, every member of the student body laced up their walking shoes for the first Westview Wildcat Walk. The PTA hopes the walkathon-style event will become a yearly event.

"'We were just looking for something different than just selling wrapping paper or candy,' said Susan Mueller, PTA second vice president. 'This is a healthy choice that is more fun for the kids.'"

Use the health & fitness marketing angle whenever you can.

And generate more excitement by rewarding successful young fundraisers with a stunt, as happened in the above event:

"...one student from each class will be randomly selected to smash a pie in [Principal Paul] Holland’s face.

"'I draw the line at kissing pigs or anything like that. I’m all for motivating my students, but that is not the kind of memory I plan on making. Plus, pie tastes much better,' Holland said."

Well, I guess the fundraiser wasn't very healthy for his diet.

Here's a story about another fundraiser that ended with a good-natured principal performing a stunt--and this guy was willing to kiss a pig.

"At least it was a clean pig," he said. "The kids wanted it to be all sloppy."

As I note in my book on educational stunts, administrators should always stay in their own comfort zone. Some would rather kiss a pig, while some would rather take multiple pies in the face...

The plane truth? Here's a fantastic fundraising idea

Thinking big and getting creative generated fun headlines for California's Apple Valley High--as well as cash for a good cause, the Victorville Daily Press reports:

"The Apple Valley Sun Devils squared off this morning against an unlikely group of opponents: The staff of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, which flies around the world curing avoidable blindness.

"Amid hoots, hollers and a lot of trash talking, it took the 47 football players 6.9 seconds to pull the 350,000-pound DC-10 jetliner 12 feet. ...

"The demonstration was intended to be a test run for a fundraising event on the Chinese island of Macau in December, where the plane is headed next."

The Aero-News Network adds that the event raised "money for residents of third world countries that need glasses, or have other eye related ailments, but can't afford them. ...

"This event is a rehearsal for a similar fundraising event planned in Macau in December, where five corporate sponsors will compete, and will pay $10,000 each for the opportunity."

A spectacular menu that should open mouths and wallets

Forget the annual fundraising barbecue or spaghetti feed--the Toledo Blade reports on an Ohio high school is planning a scholarship benefit night with a menu that's the most ambitious I've ever seen:

"...a Loire Valley Salade of asparagus spears, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, and sweet onion cucumber relish with a raspberry vinaigrette. The entree of seared beef tenderloin topped with Alouette cheese and green peppercorn sauce will be served with pomme Lyonnaise potatoes with tornados of yellow squash and zucchini. ...

"A vegetarian option features smoked mozzarella tart, haricot vert, and oven-roasted roma tomato confit.

"For dessert, there will be a variety of petit fours, cream puffs, French pastries, and assorted coffees."

And did I forget to mention the French wine and cheese tasting beforehand?

Sacre bleu! Talk about a fundraiser folks will be talking about into the new year...