Parents re-launch Scrip program

After a successful pilot run last spring, the Sisters Parent, Teacher Committee (SPTC) at Sisters Elementary School is re-launching its fund-raising Scrip program.

Scrip is essentially “substitute money” — a gift certificate from national and local retailers. Parents of Sisters Elementary School students or community members at large can order the discounted scrip for stores and restaurants where they regularly shop. The merchants sell the Scrip to the school at a discount and shoppers redeem it at face value.

The difference is donated back to the school.

“Every store offers a different percentage,” said Lori Boyle, who spearheads the program. “Macy’s came on board and they’re huge; they’re giving us a 10 percent profit.”

Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot offer 2 or 3 percent, Boyle said, but purchases there tend to be of larger value.

Purchasers place an order on Monday, either sending an order form with their child or picking one up at the school office. The Scrip is then handed out on Friday — again either sent home with a child or left at the office.

“We’ve made it more convenient for the parents,” Boyle said.

Boyle and parent volunteers Lisa Early and Daiya Dillman-Owen sort and distribute the Scrip. It seems labor-intensive, but Boyle says it takes just a couple hours a week to fill orders and make sure the Scrip gets into shoppers’ hands.

For her and her fellow volunteers, it’s a worthwhile investment in school improvement.

Last week, the Scrip order brought in a profit of $130.

“If I did this every week, I’d be smiling,” Boyle said.

Dozens of merchants participate in the program and Boyle is working on bringing more Sisters merchants into the fold. She said Ray’s Food Place is currently the program’s mainstay.

The SPTC intends to use the funds raised through the Scrip program to fund a “playground facelift.”

Packets listing participating merchants and detailing the program are available at the Sisters Elementary School office. For more information call 549-8981.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

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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