Have you ever supported a child’s school fundraising efforts by purchasing candy, a magazine, a candle, popcorn, pizza, cookie dough, or a restaurant discount card? If the answer is yes, please continue to read the following:

I am specifically addressing the magazine fundraiser taking place right now at Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES). I have discussed this with the principal, Mr. Mark Tess, and I have received his approval to disseminate this information to the community.

As most of you know, the magazine fundraiser has been used for many, many years because it’s considered to be a major fundraiser for the school. The targeted amount to be raised is based on the previous year's sale. The amount for this year is $15,000 in total sales. BRES, then gets 40 percent of the totals sales equaling $6,000 (if they even reach the target amount). The cost of the prizes that the children earn for selling comes out of the $6,000. Last year the school netted approximately a $4,000 profit from the sales, an approximately 27 percent return.

It is astounding to think the people in this community (or any community) have shelled out $15,000 to buy magazines (or any other product) and the school only ends up with $4,000.

Can you imagine if everyone gave a direct donation!

I am not criticizing the school for continuing to do this type of fundraiser. I’m sure if anyone came up with a better idea, they would be willing to listen. But, until that happens, the magazine drive is not going away.

I want people to know that they have a choice. If you want to support a child and help fundraising efforts, then write a check for a donation, put your child’s name and grade on it so they get recognized and send it directly into the school. This is 100 percent profit for the school with the least amount of work for anyone!

If you’re like most parents these days, you and your child do not want to “sell” items. The prizes the kids get are just more clutter for the house, you don’t have time to read magazines and quite honestly a lot of people are too busy to bother and would just as soon write a check and be done with it.

Out of guilt and frustration, coupled with the fact that your child is nagging you to “earn” that prize, you reluctantly buy a magazine or two; that you know you’re not going to read. So now we are wasting paper and cluttering up the recycle center.

And some other facts: 90 percent of the magazines are cheaper to renew or subscribe to if you go directly to the company/website. For example: I ordered National Geographic Kids through the magazine fundraiser, 10 issues for $24. After the fact, I went directly online to their website and found out I could have got 10 issues for $15. I paid $9 more! The only one making money on this deal is the company sponsoring this fundraiser.

If you truly want a magazine and want “something” for your money, then by all means, buy a magazine. At least the school will get a little something.

Most of you have also probably wondered what this money is being used for. I’m sure your principal at your school would tell you, just ask. I did and this is the response I got from Mr. Tess:

“I use these funds for a variety of situations outside of budgeted monies. Sometimes it is used to augment the cost of field trips. Some students cannot afford to pay anything towards a field trip so I use these monies to cover them. I use it to purchase school insurance for students that other wise would not be able to participate in school sponsored athletics. We have purchased winter clothing for students, paid for dental/medical care for needy children and have used it for playground equipment. I have also used it to provide support for our volunteer clubs like the Garden Club and the Bookers. Because much of this is confidential and I can't identify individual people, a lot is done behind the scene and people never know that they have benefited from it.”

If you truly want to help your child raise funds for the school, then I’m encouraging this community to send a tax deductible donation directly to: Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES), 238 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

Please don’t order a magazine you know you don’t need or want. If you were willing to buy a magazine then you should be willing to make a donation. If it’s all about the “prize” for your child then entice them with something else. Instead of buying the recommended four magazines costing my family $83, I’m giving the school $70 (84 percent profit vs. 27 percent) and $13 to my daughter. Even at 8 years old, she’s much happier to get the cash.

If you have any questions or suggestions for fundraising ideas that would give the school at least a 60 percent return, then please contact Mr. Tess at 207-633-5097 or mtess@csd3-bres.org. He is very open to anyone’s comments or suggestions.