Student fund-raiders are poor way to raise money

I was recently approached by two Priest River Elementary School students asking me to buy expensive candy or flowers or put my friends on a mailing list for solicitation for magazine subscriptions.

This is a poor way to raise money for our schools. Its net economic effect is to drain money from our local community to large corporations who manufacture the products or sell the magazines. It is potentially harmful to students who are tempted to contact strangers door to door. It causes emotional stress for students who strive to earn cheap but attractive prizes, and causes stress to adults who are approached. The candy is over-priced and bad for people's health.

Based on years of experience and thoughtful analysis, the National Parent Teacher Association is firm in its stance that students should not be used for fund-raising. There are better methods of raising money. In the old-fashioned bake sale, inexpensive ingredients are transformed locally into products of higher value. Items can be donated for a raffle or auction. Or the request can simply be made for money donations from community members, explaining clearly the need for the extra money. Many other fund-raising methods could be employed.

Please let us follow the principle to, first, not cause potential harm to our children or others, and, second, do not drain money from our community.

DAVE CASSEL

Oldtown