By Mary Louise Speer | Thursday, November 09, 2006

Many schools and parent teacher groups raise money for classroom and program enhancements through candy bar and magazine sales. Dozens of organizations are adding a new tradition of selling SCRIP gift cards on a year-round basis or before the holidays.

Dollars raised by the Bettendorf Band and Orchestra Parents organization pays for “show fees, these are large, and to enter competitions, for copyrighted music and the music is extremely expensive. It also goes for uniform cleanings. We will be purchasing new uniforms in three to four years, so a large amount is set aside for that,” said club president Sabrina Ash, the parent of two band students at the high school.

The group funds instrument purchase and repair, instructors for the drum line and color guard, and the audio visual equipment for the new addition at Bettendorf High School.

STORES HELP SCRIP

People can purchase gift cards and certificates for local and national stores, restaurants, gas stations, and movie theatres through SCRIP programs. The organization sells the cards and keeps a percentage of the sales.

Many area schools prefer this program because it lessens or eliminates the need for other kinds of fundraisers, stops the practice of having students go door-to-door while trying to sell a specialty item and SCRIP can be offered on an ongoing basis.

Schools can customize their SCRIP programs through special software. For more information about writing a SCRIP management program visit www.scrippro.com.