Yesterday was curriculum night at our kids’ school (that’s when the teachers take you through the plans for the year and class policies.) So, while Lamar went around to meet the teachers. I stood in the hallways to promote our Box Tops for Education program.
I wanted to make sure that every parent that walked into that building knew:
- that our school collects Box Tops,
- what our earnings goal was for the year,
- what we plan to do with the money that we raise from Box Tops, and
- the different ways you can get box tops credits.
And guess what I found out?
There were several parents that did not know that our school collected Box Tops. There were several parents that knew about our Box Tops efforts….but did not collect them. All of those parents promised to start sending them in, after they found out how much money we could raise and what we planned to do with the money.
Last year, I spoke to the Box Tops Moms Committee at GreenForest McCalep Christian Academic Center in Decatur, GA. For a relatively small private school, they have a hugely successful Box Tops Program, raising over $10,000 last school year alone. And one of their keys to success is visibility:
One of the main keys to their success was high visibility. The Box Tops Moms maintain high visibility for the program at the school. Each mom wore a Box Tops badge every time they entered the school. Additionally, they have dedicated bulletin boards in several places throughout the school for the Box Tops program. They posted flyers around the school, have public collection boxes, and they even have a Box Tops mascot that one of the parents made from a cardboard box. By keeping the visibility high, everyone at the school has a constant reminder of the Box Tops program.
Click here read more about Green Forest’s successful program: Take Notes on How These GA Moms Turned Excitement into Dollars for Their Kid’s School
“Getting the Word Out” is a great way to boost the success of your Box Tops program at your school. So my question to you is: Does your school collect Box Tops?
Here are some other questions to ask?
How do I find out if my school collects Box Tops?
One way to find out is to go over to the Box Tops for Education website. It takes a few seconds to sign-up…and then you can search to see if your school participates and you can track their earnings.
Why isn’t my school participating?
That is literally the million dollar question. Did you know that since starting, the Box Tops for Education® program has given participating schools across this country well over $500 Million. So if your school is not getting a piece of the pie….then you should be thinking and asking why not?
What can I do?
Well since you asked…here are a few things that you can do:
- talk to your school’s PTA or principal about the benefits of participating in Box Tops for Education®
- consider becoming a Box Tops coordinator at your child’s school (if you don’t have one already.)
- if you already have a coordinator at your school, join the Box Tops committee and help get the word out.
- start at home by getting your entire family involved with clipping Box Tops. Also sign up on-line at BoxTops4Education.com
- get the word out even more by telling your family members and neighbors to send you box tops. This works and you will find that there are a lot of people that want to collect them…but don’t know where to send them.
I am a busy parent just like you. And this is why I love participating in the Box Tops program, because it empowers me to help with my kids’ education. The simple act of cutting a Box Top coupon and turning it in monthly helps to bring much needed funds into our school. That’s something we all can do from our own homes without any additional time commitment. And with hundred’s of participating brands, chances are you already have Box Tops in your pantry.
BMWK – Does your school collect Box Tops? If yes, do you participate by sending in Box Tops? Does your school do anything creative to promote their Box Tops program? If yes, please share what they do?
Disclosure: Lamar and I are paid spokesbloggers for the Box Tops For Education program. We will be providing information and stories throughout the school year in hopes of encouraging our community to take advantage of the millions of dollars that are being given to schools across the country each year. All opinions expressed are our very own.