Chappaqua PTA new fall fundraisers serve dual role, local and global

September 24, 2010
by Mindy Berkower

The Chappaqua PTA is initiating two new fundraising opportunities this fall. (Not to worry, if you still want to order Sally Foster wrapping paper, there’s an opportunity for that as well.) The PTA’s new fundraising partners are Equal Exchange, which sells fair trade products, including organic coffees, teas, chocolates and healthy snacks and artisan-made crafts, and Just KidStuff, which publishes regional discount coupon books.

These new fundraising partners will provide the opportunity to Chappaqua Central School District residents to fund the services of the Chappaqua PTA while at the same time promoting fair trade and a greener world, in the case of Equal Exchange, and helping out local merchants in the case of Just KidStuff. To order now, go to the Chappaqua PTA website, http://www.chappaquapta.net and l,ook for the logos of the two companies.

At the Chappaqua PTA booth during Community Day, this Saturday, samples of Equal Exchange produces will be available for sale or to order. KidStuff coupon books for $25 will be available as well. Only cash and checks will be accepted at the PTA booth.

The Chappaqua PTA’s new partners

The Chappaqua PTA relies on membership dues and contributions and fundraising dollars to fund important programming for students and parents as well as vital communication devices such as the PTA website, the PTA email system and the annual school district calendar. This year the PTA has endeavored to identify fundraising companies that provide products of value to the community and embody principles the PTA would like to promote. 

Equal Exchange is a worker-owned cooperative that sells fairly traded goods including organic coffees, teas, chocolates and healthy snacks and artisan-made crafts.  Not only does Equal Exchange sell these high-quality products that we all need and use, but Equal Exchange works exclusively with farmer- and artisan-owned cooperatives, both in the United States and in other countries, to promote sustainability and, in turn, a greener planet. 

“This is a great opportunity to work with a great company that has a great mission,” commented Anne Gans, a Greeley and Bell parent who was lucky enough to sample some of the coffee and chocolate products this summer. “And, it’s mighty delicious stuff that would make a great gift item for family and friends.”

I sampled the coffee and the chocolates as well, and can report that the coffee is full flavored without the bitter edge that some strong coffees exhibit. The chocolates are intense, on par with any premium chocolate available. I enjoyed my morning coffee all the more for feeling a connection with the people who produced it. 

The fair trade prices Equal Exchange pays to its farming and artisan partners allow the participating individuals to go beyond subsistence and actually improve their own lives and invest in their local communities.  The Chappaqua PTA will receive a percentage of each sale, varying by product but averaging about 40%.  High quality products and socially responsible business practices make Equal Exchange a compelling new PTA fundraising resource. It is important to note that ordering Equal Exchange merchandise directly from the Equal Exchange website will not benefit the Chappaqua PTA. All orders must be placed using the PTA order form available through PTA representatives, or from the PTA website.

Just KidStuff publishes regional discount coupon books in five states and has just launched its first Westchester-Putnam-Rockland edition.  Because the PTA was in on the ground floor with the new KidStuff edition, it was invited by Just KidStuff to submit names of local vendors that Chappaqua school district families patronize.  Happily, many of the identified vendors decided to participate, so look for valuable coupons from ShopRite, D’Agostino, Borders, National Amusements Theaters, Rite Aid, Cosi, Kohl’s, Westchester Skating Academy, Red Rooster Mini-Golf, Yogi’s Paw, the Jacob Burns Film Center, Caramoor, Sportime USA, Try & Buy Toy Stores, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Thunder Ridge Ski Area, Sports Authority, Mount Kisco Sports, Lester’s, Heller’s Shoes, Claire’s, The Cliffs at Valhalla and many, many more. 

The KidStuff coupon book is neatly organized into national, regional and local vendor sections each with an alphabetical index so it is easy to use, and most coupons are valid through December 31, 2011.  Making a KidStuff coupon book purchase is a great way to save money and support the Chappaqua PTA at the same time:  Each book costs $25 and can quickly pay for itself with the tremendous savings it offers, and the PTA receives $12.50 of each purchase.

How and where can I order?

Equal Exchange catalogs and order forms and KidStuff order forms were included in the joint Chappaqua school district/PTA information packet mailed to school families in August.  School PTA Vice Chairpersons will have copies of these ordering materials available at PTA meetings and other school events, and the materials may also be downloaded from the PTA’s website, www.chappaquapta.net.  The PTA encourages people to visit its booth at Community Day on Saturday, September 25, at the Chappaqua train station (or at Bell Middle School, in case of rain) to learn more about, or order, Equal Exchange products and KidStuff coupon books. 

Chappaqua school district residents interested in purchasing Equal Exchange or KidStuff products need not have children currently enrolled in the Chappaqua schools; however, all Equal Exchange orders must be received by the PTA by Friday, October 22 and must be picked up at the Bell Middle School Craft Fair on Saturday, November 13; all KidStuff book orders must be received by the PTA by Monday, November 1.

For those who wish to support the Chappaqua PTA by purchasing Sally Foster gift wrap and other gift items, the PTA has decided to continue its relationship with Sally Foster for this school year but only via direct online ordering.  Interested purchasers may order through www.sallyfoster.com and Sally Foster will ship items directly to the purchaser’s address.  On the home page, before selecting items, purchasers should click on “Support a Fundraiser” in the upper right-hand corner, click on “Give credit to school or group” and enter the Chappaqua PTA’s account number, which is 181309.

The Chappaqua PTA appreciates the community’s ongoing support and hopes its new fundraising offerings are enthusiastically received.

Mindy Berkower is the vice president of the Chappaqua PTA.