Fundraising

Development is responsible for all of the major fundraising efforts undertaken by St. Christopher School. All of the monies raised by St. Christopher School STAY in St. Christopher School and are included in our operating budget. With these monies, we are able to provide a quality education and a strong learning environment.

As a Diocesan school, St. Christopher is required to raise approximately 5% of our annual budget through fundraising activities. In recent years, we have been required to raise approximately $50,000. Although the Diocese sets a minimum fundraising goal for us, our actual need is much greater. Our actual fundraising goal has been close to $100,000.

Each year we include a number of ways for each family to participate in fundraising – from sales to donations to community events. Some, including Campbell’s Label and printer cartridge collections, don’t even require money!

Major Fundraisers

Freedom from Fundraising drive (September)

An opportunity to “buy-out” of all other fundraisers (except the Country Fair) for the year with a minimum required donation of $300 per family.

Fall Fundraiser (September)

This year, we paired with Nashua Catholic and Infant Jesus for a wonderfully successful calendar raffle fundraiser. Tickets are $10 each and feature 31 days of exciting prizes like ipods, cameras, gift cards and everyone's favorite...cash! Look for our new calendar raffle in September of 2010!

Wrapping Paper/Candy Sale (October)

Genevieve’s! This catalog features 60# heavy-weight holiday wrapping paper not available anywhere else, as well as Hebert Candies and other gifts. Genevieve’s products are also available online at www.genevieves.com. The St. Chris school code is 2027.

Annual Fund Drive (November)

Friends  of Catholic education are solicited for cash donations through this annual drive. Donors have been very generous in the past and we appreciate the support from people outside the immediate St. Chris community!

Annual St. Christopher Auction (Spring)

This is one social event you don’t want to miss! An adult-only evening, the event features a silent auction of over 175 items, a delicious sit-down dinner, and a thrill-a-minute live auction.

Minor Ongoing Fundraisers

Campbell’s Labels for Education and General Mills Box Tops for Education Collection

Collection boxes are located outside the office on the first floor. Ask friends and relatives to collect for you – you’ll be amazed at how quickly these add up! For more information about these programs and a list of participating products, visit these websites:

• Labels for Education www.labelsforeducation.com (participating products)
• Box Tops for Education www.boxtops4education.com (participating products)

Used Printer Cartridge Collections

The school receives cash for each of the specified cartridge models we collect. A collection box is located outside of the Computer Room.

Scrip Program

The Scrip Program offers St. Chris another great way to earn funds. Through the Great Lakes Scrip, you are able to purchase Gift Cards to major stores. Each vendor gives St. Chris a percentage back for each card that is bought. For more information visit www.glscrip.com or click here for the order form. As an extra bonus, once a family has reached $50 in cash back to the school from their purchases, the school splits the cash back 50/50 with the family! This is not reset each year, so a family only needs to reach the $50 once in their entire St. Christopher career! Checks are mailed at the end of the school year.

SchoolPop

Online shoppers can donate a fixed percentage of their purchases to the school through this merchant portal at www.schoolpop.com. There is no extra cost to the shopper and a number of popular online stores are available, including Barnes and Noble, Lands End, and Gap. The school’s identification number is 0146904.

Target Credit Card

Shoppers who use a Target credit card can select St. Christopher’s to receive a cash bonus from Target. The school’s code is 10196. Target Red Card program.

Hannaford Helps Schools

During this yearly program, customers receive school dollar certificates at the register with purchases of participating products. At the end of the time period, the certificates are exchanged for cash donations for the school from Hannaford. Look for this to begin again in the fall.

The Birthday Book Program

We have available a Birthday Book Program for those families that wish to commemorate their child's birthday by donating a book to our school library. The program has been ongoing for a number of years. Each school year we will designate a section of the library that will be the main focus of your gifts. This will make a big difference in the growth of our library. We will continue to place a bookplate on the inside cover of the book with your child's name and date of donation. It will be a gift that is shared with others for many years to come.

If you wish to commemorate your child's birthday by participating in our Birthday Book Program, please see Mrs. Riley. She will be happy to assist you in making your selection from our in-house catalogs.

Other One-time-only Fundraisers

Throughout the year, you may receive requests for a few minor fundraisers, like our spiritware sales. These smaller fundraisers are used for special projects which are not included in our operating budget, like the new sign purchased for the front of the school with Krispy Kreme sales. Your support of these sales is certainly appreciated!

We hope that by offering a variety of opportunities for families to support our fundraising efforts, everyone will find a way to participate. If you have any additional questions, suggestions, or comments, please feel free to contact Director of Advancement Marta Nissen. Thank you for your continued support of St. Christopher School!