How did I live 37 years on this planet without discovering that popcorn is to Boy Scouts what cookies are to girl scouts? It must be because I don't live within hawking distance of Anthony Aldrich II, who as of last week was gunning for his fifth sales title in six years among Boy Scouts nationwide. In case you're wondering how much popcorn one would have to sell to contend for the title, Anthony had already sold $22,000 with more than a week left in the selling period.
I'm sure Anthony's mom is very proud of him. But I think if he were my son, I just might be wondering, is this why I signed him up for Boy Scouts? So he could peddle more popcorn than Orville Redenbacher?
I hate fundraisers. I understand the need for them, and how they help schools and clubs defray costs which might otherwise burden families unable to afford them, but I wish there was a better way. My husband and I feel uncomfortable asking our friends and neighbors to buy wrapping paper and tubs of cookie dough and pizza kits I've admittedly never sampled but suspect are far inferior to, say, Domino's. Besides, then we would be obliged to pony up when their kids came around selling magazine subscriptions, chocolate samplers, etc., so it just seems easier to swallow the costs ourselves. And my kids are definitely asked to participate in many more fundraisers than I did, back in the day - this year starting as early as the first week of school.
I can't help but think I wouldn't mind fundraisers so much if they were less frequent, but on a larger scale. For example, I rather like charity auctions, where I have the opportunity to bid on interesting items I might actually use. I guess what I'm looking for are great fundraising stories I can use to inspire our PTA, and possibly make me feel less like a sourpuss about the whole endeavor.
