Do Good for Your Kid’s School and the Planet
Fundraising and school programs that make a difference
What if you could volunteer at your child's school and do something good for the earth at the same time? Fact is, you can, and by helping out your environment, you also improve your child’s health, safety and happiness. It’s a win-win. Plus, if everyone learns more about habitats and how to better take care of them (including within your own community), then you’ve also paid the planet and your family forward.
In charge of finding more money? For fundraising, steer clear of junk food, candy and wrapping paper. Instead, go for the green with positive-planet and health-loving impact.
Terracycle.com helps you create a recycling brigade to get money for your school, plus they have an up-to-date companion curriculum series for teachers. Or try a community event; if you have musical-artist parents who would donate time and talent, then put together an at-school concert and sell tickets. If you want to sell products, Go-Green-Fundraising.com has several ideas—flower bulbs, savings cards, live tree kits and healthy food products.
Talented in the art of persuasion? Another way to get your school some enrichment or improvement money is to dedicate time to finding and applying for grants. There are grants specific to environmentally-oriented programs. CaptainPlanetFoundation.org gives grants for school programs that promote understanding of environmental issues. MGAEF.org provides funds for school programs that emphasize solving problems with ecological knowledge.
Got a farmer in you? School gardens are on the rise, teaching your children about the cycle of life and, in turn, helping them improve their own. RealSchoolGardens.org is a beautiful site to help you get going. Small space? Try the Woolly School Garden program at Woollypocket.com. Also, talk to your local nurseries about donating plants in exchange for parent newsletter exposure.
Want to tell a tale? All kids and adults like good stories. If you’ve got a bit of theater in you, donate time to read a book to a classroom. With older children, you can also have a bit of discussion afterwards about the story or have an activity related to the book. Try Catfish Cookies by Barbara Higgins-Dover about river protection for 5-8 year olds, Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals about how to start a compost for 4-8 year olds, and my favorite The Lorax by Dr. Seuss about conservation and choices for 4-12 year olds. At Seussville.com there are classroom resources for The Lorax.
Soft heart for animals? Bring that depth of compassion to schoolchildren with a humane treatment for farm animals spin. FarmSanctuary.org has kid-friendly educational resources for teachers and volunteer presenters. This also segues into an opportunity to talk about eating a more herbivore diet for both health reasons and to take pressure off of our protein production; VegSoc.org has resources available.
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Terra Wellington is the author of “The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home.” Last year she rallied behind her child’s school collecting used juice pouches for cash, while the recyclers turned the pouches into backpacks.
