The PTO’s mission is to support and enhance the intellectual, physical and social experience of the students in our school. As educational funding at the federal, state and local level decreases each year the PTO’s financial support becomes even more crucial in maintaining a rich academic tradition at our school. PTO fundraising benefits your children and our school in many ways. Each year the PTO uses the money from fundraisers and PTO dues to help pay for field trips, to give each teacher a classroom allowance, to fund Golden Apple grants, to fund programs such as math/science night, Walk & Talk, lunchtime choices, Thursday thing and service learning projects, to support school wide gatherings such as fall festival and the ice cream social and to purchase items from a faculty created wish list. The following is a list of the current fundraisers at Burns Park:

Burns Park Run:

The Burns Park Run is a major fundraiser for the PTO. Organized solely by PTO volunteers, the tree lined Burns Park Run loop course has been a favorite of beginner and world-class runners alike since 1979. The 5K and 10K races draw 800 – 1,000 runners aged 5 to 85 years, with alomst two hundred elementary school children running the 5K and 10K in 2007. A separate Fun Run around the park for younger runners starts after the big races finish. Each year, a celebrity runner joins the Burns Park Run for inspiration. Past guests have included Joan Benoit Samuelson, Frank Shorter, Jackie Hansen and Francie Goodridge – as well as Runner’s World writer John Bingham ("The Penguin"). Held the first Sunday in May, the Burns Park Run usually nets between $8,000 and $10,000. Chairpersons: Jackie and Joel Dalton and Jill Hunsberger

Sally Foster Gift Wrap Sale:

The gift wrap sale is another major fundraiser for the PTO. In late September students receive sales packets in back pack mail. Families have a two week period to sell gift wrap and other gift products (including food) from Sally Foster; products can be sold in person or on-line by setting up an account with Sally Foster (all instructions are included in the sales packet) The school receives fifty-five percent of all sales. This fundraiser usually nets $9,000. Chairpersons: Jennifer Osterwisch and Anne Steinhauer.

Burns Park Bucks:

The PTO’s scrip fundraiser, known as Burn$ Park Buck$, is starting its fifth year. For this fundraiser the PTO purchases gift certificates or gift cards at a discount from local grocers and retailers including: Busch’s, Kroger, Hillers, Whole Foods, The Produce Station, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Eddie Bauer, Gap, Lands’ End, Old Navy, Pier One, Starbucks, TJ Maxx, Toys R Us, Williams Sonoma and many more. Families buy the gift certificates or gift cards from the PTO at full face value and use them in the store for this value. The percent difference in the price the PTO pays and the price families pay is our profit; the percentage discount ranges from three to eighteen. Kroger, Busch’s and Hillers sell rechargeable gift cards which allows a family to purchase one card at the dollar value of their choice; the card will hold a balance as used and the user can add to the balance, as needed, at the store with cash, check or a credit card; Burns Park continues to receive 5% of all added dollars. For convenience, the PTO uses an on-line ordering system for Burn$ Park Buck$ and accepts cash, check or charge for payment. Burns Park families who participated in this fundraiser last year earned over $8000 for our school without spending an extra dime, they simply changed the way the paid for their groceries and other retail items. Chairperson: Cindy Middleton

Kids’ Art Notecards:

In January students will bring home materials to create individualized note cards and other products which will be packaged for gift giving and general use. Parents and students really enjoy participating in this fundraiser which usually nets between $600-$900. Chairpersons: Ellen Janke and Meg Wallace

Parent Contributions:

In addition to the fundraisers described above, the PTO also makes an annual solicitation for parent contributions at the beginning of the school year. The PTO recommends a $25 contribution, but often families who choose not to participate in other fundraisers will make a larger contribution. All contributions are tax deductible and many employers will match the contribution; the PTO treasurer will complete any necessary paperwork.

In addition to participating in these fundraisers you can also help raise money for Burns Park by doing the following:

• Cut out BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION LABELS from General Mills packages and turn them into the library
• If you shop at TARGET, get a Target credit card and designate Burns Park as your scholl to receive proceeds from all charged sales

Questions? Have a GREAT fundraising idea? Know of other businesses that will provide financial support to our school based on purchases? Let the PTO know . . .