Kindness: An all new way for the PTG to raise money

Dover Schools PTG members have an ongoing need to raise funds for activities that benefit students and the schools they attend. This has traditionally meant annual student sales of wrapping paper, boxed holiday cards, candles or magazines. But this year the PTG has decided to try something new, raising money without asking families to monitor their children’s daily sales results.

On Thursday, Feb. 29, the group hosted the first of three Family Acts of Kindness events. They are part of an overall kindness initiative, which was put into place the previous Monday. The kickoff event was held in the gymnasium at South Elementary.

“Tonight we’re focusing on our community’s superheroes: our military veterans, firefighters, police, EMS and our mail carriers,” Dover PTG member Veronica Studer said. “So we’ve invited our school families here to simply make crafts and make posters and give back to these heroes. We’ve had this incredible turnout tonight, and it’s all about giving back to the community.”

The gym was filled with parents and children at various stations.

“This is a far bigger turnout than we ever expected,” said Erica Copa, another PTG mom who helped put the event together. “Isn’t it amazing?”

Rather than product sales, the group is trying simple community fundraising in which the students seek donations from family and neighbors. The result has surprised organizers.

“We began community fundraising this week, and we’ve already exceeded expectations,” Copa said.

“Rather than having the kids out there selling, selling, selling,” Studer said, “we’re having them go out and serve their neighbors in some way, then ask for a donation. As a way of paying it forward, the kids are just going out into the community and doing acts of kindness.”

Studer said the PTG operates solely on fundraising dollars to meet budgetary needs for the year.

At one station inside the South Elementary gym, large white sheets of paper were attached to the gym walls, and students were invited to dip their hands in assorted paint colors to add a handprint.

“Those will go to EMS heroes, firefighters and ambulance staff,” Studer said. “It’s about teaching the kids how to be good community members and to be kind to others and appreciate what they do for us.”

Copa said another Family Acts of Kindness night was held at East Elementary on Thursday, March 7 that focused on senior citizens by giving back to the senior center, Community Hospice and nursing homes.

“Then March 12 we’ll be at Dover Avenue, also from 6-7 p.m. There we honor other community organizations like Advocates for Success,” Copa said.

The students log onto a webpage to keep track of their acts of kindness. “It’s been really unbelievable,” Studer said. “Since starting three days ago, the kids have logged hundreds and hundreds of acts of kindness.”

In just four days, Copa said the PTG was close to raising $10,000 for future projects. The amount is a good start on an overall larger goal.

“If we reach that goal this year,” Studer said, “we will only do our kindness initiate fundraiser from now on, and it looks like we may be able to make that. So that would mean no more selling. We’re off to a good start this week.”

Both ladies said the school administration has been very helpful and supportive in trying an all new way to raise money.

A celebration event for the students is planned for March 19 to take note of all the acts of kindness that have happened since the initiative began.

Learn more about Dover PTG at www.dovertornadoes.com.