News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Just about every parent at Sisters Elementary School wants to contribute financially to boosting school programs. So do many community members. But not everyone can make a direct cash donation.
Through a new “Scrip” program launched by the Sisters Parent, Teacher, Community (SPTC) group, parents and community members can contribute financially through their regular shopping.
The SPTC is selling “Scrip” — essentially gift certificates for national and local retailers. Participating retailers offer the gift certificates at a discount. Purchasers pay full face value and redeem the certificates at full face value.
The school gets the difference.
By ordering Scrip, participants raise money for the school through regular shopping at outlets including Ray’s Food Place, Figaro’s Pizza, JC Penney, Old Navy, Red Robin, Regal Cinemas and more.
According to Lori Boyle, one of the parents running the program, local retailers will have an opportunity to join the program.
She said the late spring start means the SPTC is treating it as a pilot program, but she expects it to succeed.
“Every school that has done this has been successful,” she said. “Hugely successful.”
Scrip programs are common at private Catholic schools and the idea was brought forward in Sisters by a parent, Kelly Christen, with a Catholic school background in Portland.
The advantages of the program are many, Boyle said. One stands out.
“No more door knocking,” she said. “Big advantage.”
By weaving the fund-raiser into everyday life, fewer people have to be mobilized and they don’t have to dun already tapped-out merchants and communtiy members for money.
Parents and community members can order scrip at the elementary school on Monday at drop-off time (8 a.m.) or place orders in a drop box. Scrip can be picked up the following Friday.
“SPTC will continue to look for ways to make this more convenient not only for parents but for the community,” Boyle said. “So far, we’re all convinced that the program is working pretty well. We’re going to do this next year, there’s no doubt about it.”
For more information call 549-8827.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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