School fundraisers

Here's something from the AP that parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors should find sort of interesting:

"An estimated 1,500 companies nationwide sell candy bars, holiday items, magazines and other goods through fundraisers that target schools.

"But the growth has created a backlash: Some parents object to their children being counted on as a sales force. The result: an 11 percent drop in sales last year, according to the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors and Suppliers."

At the Ross household, the children are just short of forbidden to take part in these things. (The boss won't let me use the words I want to use to describe fundraisers, as they might invite lawsuits).

A few years ago, one of my kids came home with a catalog on the first day of school. The first day. And kids in younger grades are targeted by promising they get to take part in certain fun activities if they reach a certain sales quota, er, goal.

If I had my way, all these things would end today. The only exception would be for specific student groups raising money for specific purposes, such as band kids selling candles to pay for a trip to the Orange Bowl game. But for generic fundraisers for money that we never hear of again, uh uh.