Editorial
Front Page - Friday, September 17, 2010
Kids First Coupon Books directly bolster schools, scholarships, awards
Erica Tuggle
In this 23rd year of the Kids First Coupon Book campaign, the fundraiser offers over $10,000 worth of savings from local companies for those who purchase the handy $10 book. The proceeds of the book stay within Hamilton County Schools with $7 of each book sold returning to the selling school and $3 to fund production costs, scholarships, the superintendents banquet and teacher awards. This year’s artwork for the book cover was created by Shailey Shah from Big Ridge Elementary School.
- Photo provided
It’s not every day that a good deal comes along for freebies, buy-one-get-one deals or percentages off of your favorite things. Yet, with a Kids First Coupon Book, year-round deals are at your fingertips.
The Kids First Coupon Book fundraiser has kicked off its 23rd year of offering over $10,000 dollars worth of deals in their chunky little book. Hamilton County elementary school children began selling these $10 books on Sept. 10, and will continue to sell until Sept. 24. If any extra books remain thereafter, they will be sold at First Tennessee Bank branch locations in Hamilton County.
Kris Humber is the executive director of the Hamilton County Schools Fund for Excellence, a non-profit organization that organizes the Kids First fundraiser. Humber has been a part of the Fund for Excellence for over 10 years, helping in the mission to provide support for Hamilton County Schools through fundraising programs, scholarships and recognition awards.
The Fund for Excellence started in 1988 under the direction of former superintendent Don Loftis, who also started the Kids First fundraiser, she says.
“What was happening was
he was having parents and grand-
parents complain to him that they were constantly being hit up for fundraisers like candy and wrapping paper and cookie dough,” Humber says. “His vision was that the coupon book would replace all these other programs and schools would focus their efforts into this one fundraising campaign.”
She says the program has been successful for so long because it allows everyone involved to benefit. The fundraiser raises money for the schools, saves the consumer money and brings business to local companies, she says.
“The thing that sets this program apart from other fundraisers is that it is run by a non-profit organization, and all the money generated stays in Hamilton County for the benefit of the schools. With so many other fundraisers, the schools are doing well to get 50 percent of the profits, and the rest is going to enrich an out of town for profit company,” she says.
In this fundraiser, for every $10 book sold, the child’s school keeps $7. The school can use the funds however they choose, although Humber says the majority use their fundraiser dollars toward technology upgrades, curriculum materials, instructional supplies, recreation equipment and all sorts of other necessities.
The remaining $3 is permitted for the Fund for Excellence to pay for expenses in printing the book and for other programs like the annual Superintendent’s Banquet for high school seniors, college scholarships, the teaching excellence award and other smaller programs, Humber says.
The art on the front of each year’s coupon book is created by an elementary school student from the county. This year’s artwork was created by Shailey Shah from Big Ridge Elementary. Each year, the contest for the artwork to cover the coupon books is held in early spring and then a winner is chosen for the art best suited for the book cover, Humber says.
Also in the early spring, the call for submissions for the book is sent out to over 600 area businesses. After an application process, the decision is made by the Fund for Excellence staff which business offers have the broadest appeal and highest value. Humber says they always receive a lot more applications than space allows, and the decision of who to include in the booklet is difficult.
This year’s book already offers up to $20 worth of free food, fun, or merchandise that requires no purchase. These offers include free ice cream at Bi-Lo, free gelato at Greenlife Grocery, free admission at Hamilton Skate Place, free chips and salsa at Salsaritas and free birdseed at Wild Birds Unlimited.
The popular favorites like $5 off a $20 purchase at Ace Hardware, $5 off a $15 purchase at Bed, Bath & Beyond and buy one get one admission at the Creative Discovery Museum have returned in this year’s book.
“We do have some really big ones but the small ones, I like to say, you use one or two and get your money back right away,” Humber says. “It’s a no-brainer to me.”
Some of the best new offers in this year’s book include a free kid’s meal at Earth Fare, $10 off a $50 purchase at Sportsman’s Warehouse, a free appetizer at Mello Mushroom, free chocolate fondue at The Melting Pot, $5 off at Valvoline and 20 percent off at Chattanooga Cupcakes.
During the past 22 years, the Kids First fundraiser has raised over $12 million for Hamilton County Schools.
“The way people can help is just buy coupon books and encourage others to use them,” Humber says.
For more information visit www.FundForExcellence.org or call 423-209-5450.
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