Elizabeth Middle School students pull off a successful fundraiser
By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
During the Christmas season of 2020, the students at Elizabeth Middle School conducted their annual poinsettia fundraiser, a project that has been successfully running since 2015. The majority of the two hundred and seventy-one students in Elizabeth Middle School voluntarily choose to participate in this event, and people in the community and friends and family of the students are always excited for the sales to begin.
However, this year the students managed to double the amount they usually raise in previous years! They raised an astonishing amount of $4,100 and sold 360 poinsettias, 94-holiday planters, 99 wreaths, 33 hanging arrangements, and 92 greenery planters. What an achievement!
The fundraiser is put on by the School Community Council, which looks after handling the proceeds. The funds are used to purchase special equipment, such as playground and technology equipment, typically outside the school budget. Before the health regulations were in place, they also used the funds to bring in guest speakers and fun activities for the students, such as laser tag or gym blasts.
When the fundraiser begins, students take home order forms and ask their families and friends if they would like to make a purchase. There was no door to door sales involved, but there was an additional option available this year. People could order directly online from the company website, which may have contributed to increased sales.
When the poinsettias arrived, the school had a contactless pickup. Everything was picked up within a matter of hours. The process was carried out very smoothly.
Many organizations had put their fundraisers on hold during the Christmas season, offering fewer opportunities for people to support their community, clubs and schools. This may have helped to explain Elizabeth School’s greater than usual success. However, there is no doubt that the poinsettias’ beauty was the perfect way to brighten up people’s homes and provide some cheer during a challenging year.
Way to go, kids!
