To the editor;
If your school is in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission or Surrey, and are using some of these coupon books, did you know the majority of the merchants are in Vancouver? So, you end up supporting Vancouver merchants.
Did you know that an average return to schools or non-profits is only 10 to 18 per cent of funds raised, so if a school or non-profit has raised $4,500, parents would be out $25,000.
Sadly there are a large portion of single moms, single working moms and young families who can’t afford or use these coupon books.
How many single moms, single working moms and young families do you know that can afford to travel, use luxury hotels or go to fancy restaurants?
The only ones who really love these coupon books are the small group of elitists who want to get things like 50 per cent off luxury hotel rooms or fancy restaurants in Whistler. Sadly, these are the same small group of elitists that can afford to pay full price.
And students are paying for it and local businesses are suffering for it.
Why do they gladly turn over 80 to 90 per cent of funds raised? Would you gladly turn over 80 to 90 per cent of your pay cheque?
There are fundraising programs that are returning 50 to 85 per cent of funds. Why are the schools not using them?
I found lots of fundraising programs that support merchants, at the same time giving high returns, by doing a Google search using key words:
Most of these fundraising programs cost less, return more and support local merchants.
Why are they using fundraising programs that cost more, return less and do not support local merchants.
Yes, we have tried to contact all DPAC representatives, PAC representatives, principals and school boards in these areas for comments for the past six years. no reply.
Garth Blackhurst
Langley