As a Vice-Principal, administrator, or parent advisory board, you decide that this year’s fundraising campaign must fulfill the following objectives:
i) raise funds for the chosen cause
ii) inspire the community to participate
iii) educate the students and the community
iv) promote environmental sustainability
You’re aware of the movement to reduce the amount of plastic shopping bags being consumed, so this seems like a good starting point. Thinking to yourself that there has to be some kind of eco tote bag on the market that is inexpensive and that has a great imprint surface, you contact your favourite promotional products distributor who sources a large variety of tote bag solutions for you.
In a school assembly, you advise the student body of your decision to use an eco-friendly tote bag as a fundraising vehicle. The key is to arm each student in the school with one tote bag that has the school logo on it along with an environmental message.
Most importantly, the students will have to be educated on the perils of plastic/non-reusable bags. Using the sample they were provided by the school, their goal will be to “educate” their families and communities about the importance of using eco-conscious and re-useable tote bags.
To encourage community participation and boost your sales, consider issuing a media release to local newspaper, TV and radio stations. Also, don’t forget to inform the community via your school’s newsletters and website.
Consider the implications:
If each student sold a mere 5 bags, that’s 4000 advertising impressions. If each student sold 10 bags, that’s 8000 advertising impressions on a reusable product that will be seen thousands of times!
Once all of the orders are tallied, the school places one master order (cost savings are incurred with higher volume orders) and the goods are delivered by the students. Your school message is forevermore advertised in the community and the fundraising campaign can be repeated yearly!!
If done effectively, we’ve seen success stories in excess of 20,000 bags for one school!!!!!!
Suggested tote bags:
There are many factors that will contribute to selecting a tote bag. Once you have narrowed down a list of priorities, click here for a comprehensive list of eco-friendly options. You’ll find a wide range of sizes, styles, colours, materials, and price points.
Remember – we’ve all purchased chocolate almonds for at least $3 a package. It’s definitely not a far stretch to support a community school and the environment by purchasing a $4 or $5 tote bag!!!
*Adapted from article written by Alex Morin in DEBCO Eco-Inspirations, 2009.
For the Love of Promo 