Healthy Fall Fundraisers: Two School Examples
Fall fundraisers are in full swing nationwide and many schools are opting for healthier alternatives to the typical bake sale. Some schools are even steering away from food sales all together since selling high-calorie, sugary snacks undermines their mission of teaching kids healthier eating habits. But the problem of unhealthy food-based fundraisers is still an issue for many schools. “Of the schools that sell food through fundraisers, 76% sell chocolate candy, 67% sell high-fat baked goods, and 63% sell non-chocolate candy,” according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Interested in making a change at your school? Read how two schools are raising money by having kids participate in fun, physical activities, and even extending the healthy lessons beyond the fundraising event itself:
Raise funds by running laps
This fall was the third annual “Rocket Run” fundraiser at Royal Oaks Elementary School in Wisconsin. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade collected pledges for the number of laps they would run, with $20,000 expected to come in. Not only was the race itself a healthy boost of physical activity for students, but the school reinforced healthy behaviors before and after the run as well. To prepare for the event, students learned about the benefits of running and how to pace themselves during the activity. Kids cooled off with water during the race, and afterward they were treated to healthy snacks of bananas and string cheese. Learn more on the school’s website and in this article from The Star.
Image credit: YouTube video by jaguar043786
Host a school obstacle course for students and parents
Earlier this month, Michigan elementary school students raised nearly $10,000 by getting sponsored to participate in a school obstacle course. According to an MLive article, kids had to run, jump and crawl through the course. The school emphasized that exercise is a fun activity for the entire family by inviting students’ parents to run the course, too. The fundraising effort’s focus on physical activity will extend far beyond the obstacle course, as the money raised will go toward upgrading the school’s playground equipment. Read the full story: http://bit.ly/GNdeuk
Image credit: Grant Hindsley | MLive.com
For more resources on healthy fundraising, check out our previous blogs: Getting Your PTA on Board with Healthy Fundraising and Healthy Fundraising Ideas: Host a Scavenger Hunt Instead of Selling Sweets.
Has your school organized any healthy fundraisers this year? Tweet us @BagtheJunk, write on our Facebook wall, or comment below.