Thank you all for the response to my post of the garage sale. We are trying to have fundraisers that don't require the children to go door to door and I think this one will make us some money. We have garage sales around here alot. We were thinking about having it in November. Again thanks for the help and your success stories.
Every two years, we have a Rummage Sale. The rummage is a big draw. At this event, we have a chili dinner, silent auction (dog sitting, lawn mowing, etc.), raffle prizes, children's fundraiser corner (portrait painting, penny candy sales, baby sitting, storytelling, etc,). The raffle earns the most money, followed by the silent auction and then the chili dinner. The rummage doesn't make a lot, but it is a big draw (especially the used skis, and sports equip). The next day we take leftover rummage (lots!) to a local charity.
We did a yard sale/garage sale this year. It was our first. We did great, we raised $950.00. I started asking for donations about 5 weeks in advance. It got to the point where we were turning them away. We got a ton of stuff. We had a ton of stuff left over too. We could of had it a second day but we didnt plan on it , and we just wanted to get rid of the stuff. I picked a couple of days each week to have drop off hours. I would be there or have someone there during those hours. We priced the stuff as it came in, and it made it alot easier. We were lucky enough to have an empty classroom in the school, so we stored the stuff in there. I also had contacted a local storage place and they donated a free month of a storage space . We never actually used it, but if you dont have any spare classrooms, that is an option. Good Luck
You might want to do a search using key words "garage sale". There's been some good info posted in the past.
We've done one for the last couple years that's more a community event than a fundraiser. We sell spaces in the school parking lot for people to sell their own items, sell concessions, and ask for donations to the PTO's space in the garage sale. Our space is furthest in, closest to the Salvation Army or Goodwill truck we arrange. If people choose to close down before the final time, they usually donate the leftovers to the PTO space. We keep selling until the end, then everything goes in the Salvation Army truck.
We've also invited a local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop to participate, each with a specific task (to raise their own money). The Girl Scouts had a bake sale, the Boy Scouts sold hot dogs, the PTO sold donuts and coffee.
We've done a school wide one for the past 2 years. It has gone over fairly well. The first year was on a Saturday. We started asking for donations about a month ahead. We didn't get real involved in pricing things. Clothes were one price, toys another, etc. We put all like items on same table, so it would be easier to figure out the price. Last year we had it during parent teacher conferences. That one didn't go over so well, they had to do it again. This year they plan on doing it during conferences again. We made about $300 each year. We don't get a ton of donations, but what we get helps. It is little effort and no overhead, so I feel like it's worth it. Good Luck!
Has anyone done a community/school garage sale? We were thinking about asking for anyone who wanted to get ride of things to donate them to our school and the ptc would hold a garage sale. Any information would be appreciated.
