The bad news is that statewide and nationwide, schools struggle financially to meet the needs of our children. The good news is that there are a number of easy ways that we as parents, grandparents, and community members can help out—just by doing what we would be doing anyway.
» Donate by shopping at Target
Anyone who shops at Target can help a school of his or her choice by using their Target charge card or a special Target VISA card. It’s very easy to take part in the Take Charge of Education program. By going to www.target.com/tcoe or calling toll-free to (800) 316-6142, shoppers can sign up to have a percentage of every purchase made at Target donated to the school! Cook County Schools have received thousands of dollars from this program in the past.
» Clip those box tops
If shopping isn’t your thing, you can be a collector. Check your grocery bag for items with “Boxtops for Education” coupons. Clip them out and drop them off at your school. The school receives ten cents for every box top sent in. Look for Boxtop for Education coupons on products such as Toaster Strudel, Pizza Rolls, Ziploc Bags, Hamburger Helper, and hundreds more! » Save those soup labels
For years, local schools have collected Campbell soup labels and have earned playground equipment and sports equipment. You can help out by saving not just soup labels, but redemption coupons on items such as V8 beverages, Pepperidge Farm products and lots more.
» Keep your Kemp’s tops
Or you can take part in the Kemp’s “Give ’em Five” program. The campaign is similar to the Campbell Soup label collection or BoxTops for Cash programs. For every specially marked cap or proof of purchase symbol from a Kemp’s plastic gallon, half-gallon and cardboard half-gallon milk container that the school redeems, Kemp’s will give the school five cents!
Consider taking part in some or all of these fundraising programs to help our local schools. It’s an easy way to show you care about our kids!
» Contribute with Qwest
If you are a Qwest telephone or internet customer, you have another great opportunity to help our local schools. Sign up for automatic payments and paperless billing and Qwest will donate 1% of your payment each month to the school of your choice.
Qwest customers wanting the company to donate the equivalent of 1% of their monthly bill to the local school system can sign up at www.qwest.com/onepercent.
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