Successful 59-minute fundraiser for CMJHS

By Christine Foshaug Times Contributor

For the third year in a row, Crowther Memorial Junior High School (CMJHS) exceeded expectations in their annual fundraising campaign.
This year, CMJHS partnered with Go Thrive Fundraising to sell as much Papa Jack popcorn as possible in 59 minutes. When all the orders were processed, the school earned $31,000 from $62,000 in sales.
On Oct. 10, two or three classes from each grade (or pod) were grouped together in three 59-minute time slots to sell sleeves of popcorn to people on their contact lists.
“The pod versus pod format works really well,” explained CMJHS principal Linda Tucker. “It’s a friendly competition between grades that allows students from different classes to work together toward the same goal.”
The sleeves of popcorn came in five flavours – dill, butter, cheese, salt and vinegar, and sweet and salty – at a cost of $20 per sleeve (five bags). There was also a $40 variety pack.
Students and parents alike prefer this fundraising format for a number of reasons.
“For the students, incentives play a big part,” said Sam Burton, teacher and fundraising committee member. “Along with prizes during the 59-minute session, we also have prizes for top seller overall, top pod and top seller in each class, and random draws for anyone who sells. And then in December, the top five sellers in each grade will play off in a final game show. It’s a lot of fun.”
Prizes such as headphones, gift cards, wireless speakers, scooters, selfie sticks and a mini fridge raise the fun factor and bolster healthy competition. This fundraising format also teaches the students valuable communication and teamwork skills. They’re provided with a script, and teachers circulate and coach them on how to communicate during their sales calls. The fun banter and sound of students cheering each other on reinforces the value of teamwork.
Parents like the fundraiser because their children are responsible for making the sales, and it’s all done in one day. It’s not up to the parents to take the kids door-to-door, so it’s safer and it puts the responsibility back on the students.
The money from the fundraiser will be allocated to facility upgrades and student activities. Plans are underway for redoing the drama theatre and lighting, and some of this year’s profits will go toward clubs, sports teams, busing, school conference and year-end field trips.
“This is our major fundraiser for the year,” said Tucker. “The company we work with is great, and we also want to thank the students, parents and community for all the support they give us so we can continue to provide these awesome programs, activities and opportunities for our students.”