Spring is right around the corner. This is a great time to earn some extra money for your school by hosting a Garage Sale over Spring Break. What a great time to clear out all those stored items you’ve accumulated during the Winter months. You know, those items left over from Christmas which weren’t well received and those items that were replaced by newer objects. Electronics and computer equipment are terrific sales items, so try hard to get people to donate their old stuff.
The only money you’d need to put into bringing this event about would be what is invested in signs announcing the day or days of the sale. Maybe a small fee for listing the fundraiser in the local newspaper as well. The school could print out fliers to distribute throughout the community and local places where there is people traffic. Encourage the community to donate items which can be sold to help the school reach a certain amount of money earned.
Get with the School Board or the Principle of your school and secure the parking lot of the school or gym for the garage sale. Ask for members of the PTA to help out as well as school teachers. Students can help with placing the price tags on items and by organizing the garage sale by category.
Example: Clothes/Toys/Dishes/Furniture and so on.
Arrange for some parents and students to set up a snack and drink area for the shoppers. Home-baked items sell well and after having a bite to eat the customers will need a refreshing drink, so offer sodas and or lemonade. Make the portion sizes reasonable and price accordingly.
Example: Large brownies/three cookies per sack/large slice of cake and so on. Even if some don’t want to buy snack goodies, keep donation jars around, so donations can be made regardless of purchase or not. Some people just like to donate to a cause.
A fun booth which could be set up would be a kissing booth, say a dollar per kiss. Just a quick peck on the cheek for a great fund-raising need. Ask for a couple volunteers each, a girl’s for boys and a boy’s for girls. A parent can oversee this so it stays appropriately directed and fun.
As host/hostess you might consider having a drawing for a great prize, if the set amount of money is raised for the school. Something that would encourage customers to purchase a ticket for a dollar. Perhaps gift certificates for a family of four to a nice eatery, or movies, or fun park. The drawing can be held at the end of the garage sale and announced in the newspaper. Arrangements to pick up the gift can be made at the same time the winners are announced.
No use wasting all that free time sitting around. Get this fundraiser together and earn that money your school is needing. Everyone likes a good bargain. Most everyone enjoys shopping at a garage sale. Start planning now and your fundraiser will run smoothly and without a hitch.
