Don't dispair. It's not like we empty a cartridge every day. Now that people know to save them, as their cartridges run out, you should get more over time. It's not like going through a cupboard and cutting off all the boxtops symbols you didn't know were valuable.

Can you design a flyer or letter that your kids could take to local businesses or mom/dad could take to work? Some (all?) of the cartridge recycling companies will give you collection boxes you could have the kids place in local businesses. They are probably a better source than the homes. Maybe instead of competing just based on volume, you could incent kids who participate at all. For example, what if you gave a ticket for every cartridge they bring in. YOu could pick the winner from all teh tickets. That way, even the kid who collects just one cartridge will have a chance. Maybe that would motivate more kids to try to find at least one.

Last year was the first year our school was in operation. Our young computer lab aide decided to save cartridges but since things were so up in the air while everyone was trying to get their niche the info wasn't out there (it was a rough year, there was still major renavations going on when school started!). This year we've decided to do a little classroom contest from Sept-Dec. The classroom winner will receive a holiday party. They will have free time in the computer lab to play on selected websites. Then off to the classroom for cookies and punch. I put this info in the last newsletter but we've only received about 7 cartidges. We would get that in one day many times at the elementary so I am at a loss. I plan on having the teachers emailed as a reminder when we get off break and I will add the winner and encouragement in the newsletter, webpage, and bulletin board. Any ideas on how we can step it up? Maybe I am being too impatient but we could use so many things at the is school. The money will go toward the computer lab for accessories and such. Also do you know of any good holiday links we can let the kids use? They are 5th and 6th grade students.