SeeingGreen ™

This past summer I had the chance to interview someone about a noble effort to raise funds to support Portland’s notoriously cash-strapped schools. After hearing from her parents and teachers about her school’s financial woes, Reed, a 7-year old second grader at Buckman Elementary decided to do something about it. Her first idea was to open a lemonade stand, a reliable staple in the fundraising world. After a little encouragement from her folks, she decided to broaden the scope to include a garage sale. Seeking donations from her family, friends, neighbors and other schoolmates, Reed received an impressive amount of items for the sale. With just 8 days to organize the mountains of furniture, toys, clothes and historical artifacts (from the 1970s, no doubt), Reed worked hard to make signs, price items, and orchestrate the sale. As with any enterprise, marketing is key. Using cheap matboard she acquired from SCRAP (see previous post), Reed crafted signs that highlighted the reason for the sale and some of the unique offerings to attract traffic from the nearby farmer’s market. “On the signs we drew cookies, cantaloupe and water, “ Reed recounts with a smile. The signs worked to bring in the crowds. After setting up at 7:30 in the morning, the sale began with a spurt of people snagging up goodies such as tennis rackets, books, and even a foot massage pillow. Prices were kept well under $20 for most items. With a seemingly inherent sense for business practices, Reed priced “pretty clothes for a dollar, ugly ones for $.25. The cookies, cantaloupe and water were also only $.75.”

By the end of the day, the sale raised $471. The PTA matched the earnings, with a total of $942 now available to fund a portion of a teaching position. Although Reed, who lists swimming, tennis and rollerblading as some of her favorite activities wanted the funds to go to fix the school’s pool, she’s happy about the outcome of the sale. Reed’s parents echo her sentiment, rightfully proud of their daughter’s efforts. For me, I was inspired by Reed and took her story as a call to action. I think that if everyone, including myself, took the initiative to do something about whatever issue moves you, the world, or maybe more succinctly, your own world would be a better place.