PTSA goes for 'no bake' option

"Bakers need not apply" is the message from the South Whidbey High School Parent Teacher Student Association for its latest fund drive. It's called a "No-Bake Bake Sale."

"The funds raised will be used to support some programs teachers would like to implement but don't have the funds to do," said Marty Murphy, president of the high school's PTSA. "And no one has to mix dough or turn on an oven."

Postcards were mailed out recently asking parents of high school students to figure what their time is worth and the cost of any baking ingredients they might use for a bake sale, then donate an equivalent amount to the organization.

"Instead of having people bake and then man a booth at a sale, we thought it would be simpler to just solicit funds," Murphy said.

All the money raised will be used to pay for some supplies in high school classrooms.

This method of fund-raising has been used in other districts, according to Janet Gershfield, the PTSA treasurer.

"We are asking parents to determine an amount that they can afford to help further fund their student's education," she said.

The main project funded by the PTSA is one that purchases academic letters for students who maintain a 3.5 grade point average for at least two semesters.

Each letter costs between $20 and $30. Letters given out last year cost a total of $1,400.

Until this year, buying the letters had been supported by South Whidbey grocery stores through a receipt rebate program. But this is the last year the stores will support the letter purchases.

Once the funds from the "no-bake" fund-raiser are collected, teachers will be able to receive that money by applying to the PTSA. A committee will select the teachers who will receive funds for their classrooms.

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