13 Year Old Needs Your Advice!

Updated on October 02, 2008
D.B. asks from Woodstock, IL
9 answers

O.K. moms, my son needs your help! One of his best friends is the sweetest child you could ever meet and unfortunately he hasn't had an easy life. He is overweight so he gets teased alot, but worse yet his mom is very ill and has been for years. His step-dad is an over-the-road trucker and rarely home so this boy not only takes care of his mom, but he does a great deal of the housework...cooking, cleaning, etc. For this reason and financial restraints he is unable to participate in any extra curricular activities and had to quit band and Boy Scouts because of this. In June their class is going to Washington DC and my son is desperately trying to get him there. The cost of the trip is just over $1000 so we are unable to pay his way too. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how we might raise this money? The school does not offer financial assistance for this trip and we are still waiting to hear whether or not we can make an announcement at church. Other than going door-to-door does anyone have any other ideas? Please rack your brains and see what you can come up with because mine is exhausted! This will be the trip of a lifetime for this boy, plus it might help restore my son's faith in the human spirit. Thanks for all your great advice moms, and I look forward to hearing your ideas!

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So What Happened?

A couple weeks ago I wrote asking for fundraising ideas so my son could raise money for his classmate to go to Washington D.C. Thank you for all the great suggestions! We had a bake sale and raised $400, pushing our grand total to over $800. We are almost there in just 2 short weeks! I really appreciate all of your help and I have no doubt that we will achieve our goal and get this boy to Washington. There truly are good, compassionate people in this world! Thanks, moms!

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B.D.

answers from Chicago on

Go to a business and explain the situation and ask if they can donate any amount to help out. Other wise would you be willing to do a fundraiser. Ask people if you could do things like rake their yard for some money, explain to them the reason. Ask other kids to help out. If everyone chips in a couple of dollars it would really help. If you are going to rake leaves ask anyone you know first and then put up flyers. Where do you live, I might know of some people that might be able to help out or some businesses.
B.

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L.P.

answers from Chicago on

if you have to have permission to make an announcement at church - shame on your church. Start talking to anyone at church, work, businesses in the are to see if any of them are willing to help even a little bit. One person at a time gets the job done

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C.M.

answers from Chicago on

I love the idea of a garage sale. Have it at your house and don't worry about pricing things individually. I just made over $400 in one weekend by selling TVs for $4 and clothes for a quarter. Price to sell. Put up signs informing shoppers of the fundraiser and you'll get some donations too. It's not too late for a sale in the fall. Have another one in the spring.

After the leaf raking comes snow shoveling.

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S.A.

answers from Chicago on

Have your son and his friend go around and offer to rake people's yards for $10 or $15. They will need two rakes, tarp to rake leaves onto and then drag to edge of yard for pickup. Or they can put the leaves in yard waste bags that the homeowner provides them if that is how it is done in your neighborhood.

Do any of the neighbors need a dog sitter. Make-up a flyer explaning the trip and the need to raise funds. Put on there a list of jobs the boys are willing to do. Like watch/feed animals while people are away on trips, raking leaves, shoveling snow on walks, walking dogs, walking kids home from the bus stop, washing cars, sweeping out the garage of salt in the winter, staking wood for fireplaces, getting decorations out of the attic, washing the dog....all services should be done at a very reasonable price to get interest. They will have to work hard, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Good luck!!!

Maybe even a paper route if they let kids do them these days. My brother had one when he was in middle school and he made good money.

Most of these will require a parent to supervise or even provide transportation at times. But it is a good lesson to learn.

They can also collect aluminum cans from all the neighbors. They can smash them in the garage and then have an adult take them to a recycling center every month with their collection.

Have the boys make boxes for neighbors that will agree to donate their aluminum cans to them. They will need to line them with garbage bags and go around every week to collect.

Hope those ideas helped. Growing up my brothers and I were always doing something to earn extra cash. My dad was military and we didn't make much money so we learned to hussle.

Oh, the boys could clean leaves out of peoples pools and even help tear them down for winter.

They need to put on the flyer that they are willing to help with any household chore for say $2 an hour. It isn't much, but people can't afford much either.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

You mentioned he's a Boy Scout - could the troop organize something? Do lawn mowing/yard work to raise money? I also agree that a rummage/yard sale could potentially raise funds - he and his friends could raid their closets and ask their parents for items to sell. If you don't have the best yard to do it in - the church might allow it in their parking lot, which would get more exposure for them. Or, if he and some of his friends play instruments, they could hold a fundraiser concert at the local park or maybe even the library...

I think it's wonderful what your son is trying to do - I wish him the best of luck!

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T.S.

answers from Chicago on

I would check with the school, there should be a guidance counselor/psychologist/social worker who should be able to provide any ideas (e.g., scholarships too). What about the PTO? Sometimes they will help out or have a special fund, even if it gets you some of it along with your other sources it can get you to your goal! Best of luck, I really hope you can get him there.
T.

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

Go online and look up your local Chamber of Commerce or call them. They have a list of the nonprofit organizations in town like Jaycees, Rotary, etc. They may have a fund that could be tapped, or be willing to sponsor him, or support a fund raiser.

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A.

answers from Chicago on

My aunt holds a garage sale every year for the cancer walk. They don't price anything just ask for donations. Every year they get about $400...I also have another friend whose son made these neat candy wreaths and sold them for $20 at all holidays with the appropriate wrapped candies. He was able to pay for most of his trip that way. Also this time of year is great to find people to do yardwork for...

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N.T.

answers from Chicago on

car washes were a great way to make money when I was in high school. we did ours in the walmart parking lot. most fast food chains will also let you use their lot and water. all you need is buckets, soap and people to wash. best of luck.

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