My SD Moms 
What better way to show appreciation for your favorite local school than by giving back in a meaningful way? Whether you volunteer your time organizing a fundraiser, donate goods or services on DonorNation, or help out teachers in the classroom, giving back to local schools can be easy, rewarding and fit anyone’s schedule.
Here are five simple ways you can give back to local schools:
Join your school’s parent group
Parent groups such as PTAs and booster clubs are generally the hubs of all extracurricular school fundraising activities and events. Getting involved in your local school’s parent group opens the door to unlimited opportunities to get involved by volunteering your time where it is needed most. Whether your role is to identify new avenues to raise funds, lend a helping hand in the classroom, or take on a volunteer position at a school event, there are myriad ways to give back by joining your school’s parent group.
Organize a campus clean-up
Volunteer campus clean-ups are a great way to connect with other families and help students learn the importance of volunteering and keeping their school community clean. With so many ways to beautify campuses, there is no shortage of clean-up activities to get started at your school. Painting or repainting exterior walls, planting a school garden, or getting donations from local businesses for repairs are just some of the many clean-up activities that can help your school shine for years to come.
Lend your expertise
Do you have a special skill or area of expertise that you can donate? Lending your service on DonorNation is a great way to drum up some business for yourself, while also giving back to the school of your choice. Whether you offer youth art classes, beginner dance lessons or a professional kicking session, sharing your talents with young students can help them learn and grow in ways they might never have known. Plus – as always – a portion of all proceeds from sales on DonorNation are given to a local school, making this gift one that keeps on giving.
Sell new or gently used items on DonorNation
With the holidays upon us, many of us are bound to receive gifts that we might not want or ever use. Instead of returning your unwanted gifts or stashing them away to collect dust for another year, re-gift them to benefit a local school by posting your item on DonorNation. Thanks to DonorNation, unwanted holiday gifts equal cash for schools, so purge your closets and give back this holiday season!
Organize a traditional fundraiser
Hosting a fundraising event, spearheading a holiday fair or organizing a bake sale are tried and true methods of raising funds for your favorite school. For a traditional fundraiser with a modern twist, try setting up an online pledge drive or collecting unused electronics to recycle for cash. Or, if you’re short on time, simply donate to your local school to show your support. For an added bonus, see if your employer or another local organization offers matching funds to double your donation. Good old fashioned fundraising allows parent volunteers to hone their energy and talents to give back while bolstering funds for much-needed school supplies and programs.
Giving back is not only essential for the viability of local schools and their students, it is rewarding for the volunteers who take part. No matter how you do it, show your appreciation this holiday season by giving the gift of giving back.
[DonorNation Edu-Blog]