We do a silent auction every year and ask for donations from our community businesses. However, we did approach our principal concerning asking teachers to come up with a themed basket to donate from each class. The principal told us that he preferred we kept teachers out of it. They have union/contracts, etc...yahda..yahda...yahda...So, we approached it differently. We bring in a local pottery company and each classroom chooses a pottery piece that is made by the kids ($30-$50 per piece). Every child in the class gets to paint something on the piece. We only have to pay for the pottery piece (large platters, vases, sports themed pieces, etc). The local pottery place brings ideas, templates, paint, etc. After the artwork is complete, they take it back and glaze and bake it. We get the finished pieces about 3 weeks before our auction. the company is scheduled in during the art curriculumn time. These are always beautifully done, and become prized and cherished pieces by parents during the auction.

If politicians cannot personally contribute to a worthwhile cause, then I am Madonna! I don't buy it but I guess if they all stay on the bandwagon of "we cannot give donations" then they can avoid the cheapskate label they so much deserve.

Perhaps this would be an interesting story for a local newspaper "Local politicians 'legally' barred from contributing to the community"
I'd read it! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Actually, Frank Lautenberg was one of the first people I hit up! NADA. Not from our state or "real" senators! I even hit up local judges--one of whom stopped by our booth at our town's celebration, and told me he legally COULDN'T. :confused:

Not even a RESPONSE. Oh--wait-- McGreevy, or actually one of his minions--there wasn't even a stamped McGreevy signature on the thing--, sent me a letter telling me SO sorry, but I was SOL. I let this one slide since about two days later was his "coming out" party!

The politicians REALLY surprised me! I find it hard to believe they can't make contributions--they aren't members of the community as well as politicians? What if they want to support the American Heart Association or something? Needless to say, NONE of them are getting my vote.

Charles Kushner is one I hadn't thought of though--thanks for the tip!

[ 10-26-2004, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: kmamom ]

How about Charles Kushner? He could use a little "give some money to kids to look good"
Or Frank Lautenburg? Our state PTA gets some contributions from candidates in both parties. Why not take advantage of their wanting a little name recognition and hit your local candidates, before Nov 2nd?

It takes all of two minutes to hit reply and say, they look fine. It took longer to open the attached flyers I'm sure.

It's just an excuse. She doesn't want to put it in writing.

I started with the Cc-ing over the summer, even if just to CMA. In fact, I left her and the vice principal a packet with all the updates from the summer, a request for one of them to join us at a town hall meeting when we requested a resolution to be passed allowing us to ask for a grant, our entire year in schedule, down to flyer release dates AND the flyers--all Cced to our Super and BOE. I made sure I left it right in the CENTER of her desk (she was on vacation and due back in several days). No response, not from her, or the vice principal, who WAS in the office. NADA. Later, she claims she NEVER got ANY package. She didn't, apparently, check with the vice principal either. OH, BUT WAIT, there it was--UNDER A PILE OF CATALOGS AGAINST THE WALL. And by the way, at that last meeting we had, she basically blamed ME for that. I should have known they were going to clean her office (which looked pretty clean then), and dump all her stuff everywhere :confused: .

I must admit, this time I'm being sneaky. I didn't Cc anyone with the emails--I'm just forwarding everything in print to the super and BOE in my update packet. By the way--I saw her today--she "didn't have time to email me, but the flyers look fine." So later I emailed her with a thank you for the OKs. At least I have that should something arise.

She said she'd get back to me by Wednesday with her response to my other notes. Mind you I told her I'd like to know ASAP as we have a meeting on Thursday, and I want to make sure I can re-type and hand out "Da Rules" to the members, lest we broach any rules we may or may not know about.

Now my BIG worry is finding that Sugar Daddy to make a monster donation to this playground!