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PTA Fundraising

Today was an experiment for me… to see if I could help with an Elementary School Fundraising for the Parent Teacher’s Association, and I have to say it was a huge success, so much so that I have been asked back again later this year.

I have been told that this School PTA Fundraising raised over £170 for an event that lasted for 1 hour after school had finished, with minimum effort for the PTA helpers.

Want to know how this was possible, then read on…

I was contacted by the head of the PTA at Newdigate Infants School who wanted some ideas on how they could use my services to raise money for the PTA, while at the same time give the pupils a school treat. We discussed lots of different ideas, and kept coming back to one, which seemed like a winner, and from today’s results, it definitely was.

The school booked me to perform my one hour school show (similar to the School PTA Fundraising show featured in my showreel) on a friday afternoon, to start about 15 minutes after school finished for the day. The PTA sent out a letter to the parents of every child at the school announcing that they had booked “Gordon the Magician” to perform his laughter filled magic show, and tickets were now on sale. All they had to do was fill in the slip at the bottom of the letter, and enclose payment. The school made a charge of £5 per child, and they sold around 75 tickets.

When I arrived to set up there was a real buzz around the school. As I walked into the reception, I could tell that there were a large number of excited children, waiting for the bell to ring so they could come and watch the show. The hall was big enough for me to bring the large show, with the full sound setup, the backdrop and banners, transforming the school hall into a magical theatre ready for the School PTA Fundraising to begin.

As soon as school was finished, the children, aged from 4-7 years were brought into the hall where the PTA had set up tables with drinks and a roll for every child (easy to do and adds to the value of the event). Once the refreshments were over, we launched straight into the show, and I soon had them giggling, laughing and having a great time. The hour seemed to disappear all too quickly, and soon it was time for everyone to go home. I had so many positive comments from the children, the parents collecting their children, (who were hearing all about the show), the staff who attended, and the PTA, who told me that it was one of the easiest fund raisers they had done.

Everyone was a winner. The children went home with big smiles on their faces…. their parents had an extra hour to themselves before the school run, and the PTA made a reasonable amount of money to put into their fund.

I think one of the reasons this format worked so well, was because it was so different. Everyone involved had been looking forward to it, and it helped raise a good sum of money for the PTA at the same time. This has to be a PTA Fundraising essential every year from now on. As PTA Fundraising events go – this was one of the easiest for the school. I am looking forward to taking a different show back to the school later this year.

Other ideas for this PTA Fundraising idea

There is no reason why this same School PTA Fundraising idea could not work for Charter School Fundraising, High School Fundraising (with a different type of show), non-profit fundraising, Rainbow and Brownies magic shows, Beaver and Cubs magic shows, as well as clubs and other organisations.

If you are interested in PTA Fundraising for your school or club, then please get in touch – you can visit my Childrens Party website, pick up the phone and call (020) 8651-2127, or simply make an enquiry and I will send you all the information you need.

Learn how to make a balloon animal tiger with this video tutorial. Expert: Jonas Cain

They are either looking for a way to give the students a treat at Christmas, or at a holiday break – or they are looking at ways to raise funds for the school, either at a school fete or an after school event. I get enquiries from both the school themselves and the PTA.

There are many ways that I can help out, and help raise funds for the school at the same time. Please as the relevant person from your school to give me a call to find out how I can help at help.

I recently filmed a school show and you can see a promo of it below. Please let me know what you think.

Click here to view the embedded video.

So I went on a search of the web to find the perfect supplier…

Let me introduce you to: My Party Parcel, a functional and very easy to navigate website that seems to have pretty much everything you could ever need for that special day.

They offer free delivery on all orders over £50, plus next day delivery when ordered before 1:30pm

You can search by product, or even by theme or character… everything from disney characters, through to football and TV stars. Party themes include:

• Angelina Ballerina
• Barnyard Bash
• Basketball
• Batman
• Ben 10
• Bob the Builder
• Bratz
• Dinosaur and Jurassic
• Disney Cars
• Disney Fairy
• Disney Princess Fairytale
• Disney Princess Magic
• Disney Tinkerbell
• Dora the Explorer
• Dr Who
• Easter Bunny
• Fairytale Princess
• Fifi and the Flowertots
• Fire Engine
• Football
• Garden Girl
• Glitzy Girl
• Hannah Montana
• Hannah Montana Pop Star
• Harry Potter
• High School Musical
• High School Musical 2 Movie Night
• High School Musical 3
• High School Musical 3 Senior Year
• Hugs & Stitches First Birthday Boy
• Hugs & Stitches First Birthday Girl
• In The Night Garden
• Jungle
• Mickey Mouse
• Mr Men
• Noddy
• On The Farm
• Peppa Pig
• Pingu
• Pirate – Buried Treasure
• Pirate – Crossbones
• Pirates Of The Caribbean
• Power Rangers
• Power Rangers Super Legend
• Princess
• Roary The Racing Car
• Safari
• Scooby Doo
• Simpsons
• Snow White Party
• Spaceman Adventure
• Special First Birthday Boy
• Special First Birthday Girl
• Spiderman
• Spongebob Squarepants
• Star Wars – Darth Vader
• Star Wars Clone Wars
• Sweet Sixteen
• Teddy Bear 1st Birthday
• Ten Pin Bowling
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• Thomas & Friends
• Toy Story
• Two By Two
• Underwater
• Unicorns
• Valiant Knight
• Waybuloo
• Winnie the Pooh

Follow my (very) simple steps for a stress-free and relaxing party. Careful planning is the key.

Click here to view the embedded video.

(with thanks to Google Search Stories)

I have been asked to perform 3 shows at one of the big shopping centres in Croydon, finishing at 10:30 pm !!!

The Brownies sought special permission to have a sleep-over in the centre, and nearly 450 girls have booked up. Security will be high as you would expect, and there will be several activities for the girls, including circus skills, and myself with the magic show. I have a feeling that my bunny rabbit is going to get a lot of attention this evening – and hopefully a few gasps of surprise as well.

This is just one of the celebration events that I have been involved with so far this year. The Rainbows held a fairyland day at one of the Girl Guiding campsites, and  invited me to perform with an audience of around 100 at a time, in the middle of a field…. I also have other events booked in, including warming up the audience at the big final spectacular to be held at Croydons largest theatre on 20th October 2010 (or 20/10/2010) which I understand is already sold out.

I love these types of shows. They are always different and exciting, and I get to be part of a truly unique event.

If you have a school, club or group that is having a special birthday, then why not come up with some unique activities, days out and events that your members could get involved with to celebrate throughout the year. It will be something that they will remember for a long time to come, and in years to come they will be able to say “they were there”

Some great kids birthday party games.

Balloon parody of Tinker Bell. Great model for the girls.

Here’s a simple and cute Elmo design.