Box Tops for Education

Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

Hi I am our new Parent/Teacher Group President this year and we are focusing on "passive" fundraising due to the horrible economics here in Michigan.  Does anyone know or has anyone developed a cool and creative way to keep Box tops on the minds of parents through out the year.  I have seen the print outs on the website but I am looking for something a bit more sturdy and long term to keep on the frig or inside a cupboard.  I am looking for any help.

Thanks so much!

fourguitars

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

If your a coordinator try reading through many posts on the coordinator forum! LOTS OF IDEAS THERE & the oto sites. Otherwise I created a $1.00 collection sheet for my school w/ our school logo on it.  Kids a thrilled they earned a buck for school when they bring it back!!! I send it on a 1/2 sheet of paper about once a month. A huge response @ my school & lots come back FULL! Also I send out a new enrollment Kinder bag & a summer bag that is a ziploc bag w/ a sticker saying to collect them & bring back to school or my summer one is an insert on a  1/4 sheet paper saying it's to collect over the summer & I put on a milkcap image, tyson image, boxtop image, & Campbell's. This way they can hang them on the fridge & always see them and it doesn't cost a lot of money!!! My school has over double it's boxtops earnings in the last 2 years alone. Be consistant & keep the children & parent's updated on the progress. The more they hear about it the more it stays in brain!!

Melissa in WI

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

How about a travel soap container? It's sturdy and you can write Box Tops across it with a permanent marker. Also, you can buy one at the dollar store!

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

I am the coordinator for my kids school, also in Michigan.  I made up a "fridge bag" and gave one to each family.  It is just a Ziploc type baggie with a little sticker on it that says "BE A SOUTHWOOD SUPER SAVER".  I then bought a bunch of clothespins,(I got a package of 50 at the dollar store) put a magnet on the back and asked the families to place it on the refrigerator and then send it in when it was full.  This seems to work great.  It stays in one place that moms see all the time and it makes it real easy to remember to clip, save and send in.  It was fairly inexpensive and I can reuse the baggies when I bundle.  I also run contests that keep the kids excited about saving.  Hope this helps.

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

I save mine in an empty crystal light container (the ones the powder tubs come in). I have one now with over 300.

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

how do we read the replies to some of these great blogs on great questions?  I would like to know how Melissa Morgan did up her sheet and how the kids stuck them on the sheet?  did tape hold them in place?

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

Ok as a coordinator I have to ask..... Why if you have over 300 of them, why haven't you sent them in yet?? That is $30 for your school!!

Holding on to them allows them to expire and be worthless to everyone.

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

I use a glue stick and if that doesn't hold, then I use tape.  I've seen some stapled on as well.

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

Our previous coordinator gave parents an envelope with magnets on the back to keep on their refrigerator. I understand it works. I'm new at the school.

RE: Cool and Creative Ways to Save Box Tops

I am a coordinator too and have to say that holding onto Box Tops when you have that many increases the possibility of sending in Expired Box Tops which are worth $0 for your school.  The sooner you send them in the sooner the school receives the money it needs.  At our school we schedule  2 or 3 "class contests/ raffles" throughout the school year to encourage more frequent submissions from families.  We try to coordinate the deadlines for these contests/raffles to be a week or 2 before Box Tops submission & expiration dates that usually occur 10/31, 12/31, 2/28 & 6/1.   Remember, the coordinators still need to count & prepare them for shipment to General Mills by the submission due dates (10/31 & 2/28) and before the Box Tops actually expire.