SPS Foundation, R-6 students set goal to raise over $20,000

Sunday, February 26, 2006
Jenny Shay of Major Saver Fundraising Inc., shows Sikeston Middle School students one of the prizes they could receive.

SIKESTON -- Sikeston Public Schools Foundation and Sikeston R-6 students are teaming together in a fund-raising campaign that could earn them $20,000 as well as benefit local businesses.

"I'm really excited about this," said Robin Stoner, executive director of the foundation. "It's really a win-win situation."

On Friday school assemblies helped Sikeston Public Schools Foundation and R-6 schools kick off their sponsoring of a program through Major Saver Fundraising Inc., which is based in Lee's Summit.

From now through March 6, students in kindergarten through middle grades will be selling Major Saver Preferred dining cards.

The Major Saver Fundraiser involves the selling of Major Saver Preferred dining card. The card is a restaurant discount dining card which sells for $10 and entitles the holder to 12 "buy one, get one free" meals at participating restaurants in Sikeston.

Each card contains specials from the following Sikeston restaurants: Rodchester's, Ryan's, Arby's, Domino's, Burger King, Taco John's, Subway, Susie's Bake Shop, Pizza Inn, Jay's Krispy Fried Chicken, Sonic and Cactus Cantina.

"All of the students were really excited, especially when they heard about the prizes," Stoner said.

Depending on the number of cards they sell, students receive different prizes like radio controlled cars, AM/FM radios and a telephone. And for students who sell at least 20 cards in the one-week time period, they will receive a free pizza lunch and will be driven there by limousine.

Seventh graders Morgan Fraser and Kelsey Dacus said they have their eyes set on one prize -- the limo ride. To make their goal happen, the girls said they have their own methods for fund raising.

"Be really nice and friendly and make sure you tell them what you're selling," Morgan said.

The girls said they planned to ask their parents, other relatives and neighbors to purchase the cards.

"My mom takes it (the selling form) to work," Kelsey said.

Jenny Shay of Major Saver Fundraising Inc. said the company has been specializing in the cards for about 10 years and currently partner with over 130 school districts in the Midwest.

"The cards normally include hometown favorites and family restaurants," Shay said. "And everyone benefits. The schools and foundation get money. The restaurants get more business, and it keeps business local."

All restaurants in Sikeston were contacted by Major Saver Fundraising, Stoner said. Restaurants featured on the cards agreed to participate in the program, she explained.

Fund-raiser proceeds of $5 per card sold will be split between the Sikeston Public Schools Foundation and the participating schools, Stoner said. Major Saver will receive the other $5 of card sales.

Last fall Stoner was hired as the first executive director of the Sikeston Public Schools Foundation. Her duties include being responsible for fund-raising efforts for the foundation and helping fulfill teacher's requests of unmet needs for the classroom, supplies, athletics, special field trips and other needs that cannot be met through existing budget constraints.

"More people are learning about the foundation," Stoner said about her first few months on the job. "Public school foundations are growing across the country, and we're picking up where the school budget doesn't."

Since door-to-door sales by students aren't promoted, anyone who would like to purchase a card can also contact Stoner at the Sikeston Public Schools Foundation office at 472-8833 before March 6.

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