THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
The Bobcat Bolt | Jog-A-Thon 2025!
This is our largest fundraiser of the year that directly supports field trip bussing, classroom supplies grants for our teachers, and so much more. Your participation and direct donation to this cause makes the biggest impact to support enrichment experiences for your student(s) at Fern Hill all year long.
MORE than a fundraiser - this special program ends with a highly spirited IN-SCHOOL event on Friday, October 3 where all our students participate in the Jog-A-Thon. Prizes will be given to some of our top performing classes; we'll keep the fun and school spirit going all season!
In 2023, Dr. Southmayd got duct-taped to the wall after our school raised over $22,000! In 2024, Dr. Southmayd had a sleep over at FHE after raising $28,000! PTO Volunteer, Heidi Mulherin, got slimed by the class that brought in the most NEW donations in 1 week. Check out our new fun prizes the whole community will enjoy!
HOW IT WORKS:
Students will ask family members, friends, and neighbors for FLAT-RATE donations to sponsor them in the in-school Jog-A-Thon event. All donations must be received by Monday, October 6 in order to count toward student and classroom prize incentives.
On October 3, our students will race together on the blacktop to run as many laps as they can in grade-level groups. Families are encouraged to join us and cheer on the kids! (Rain Date: Mon. October 6)
HOW TO DONATE:
Online:
For a 3rd year, the PTO has partnered with Get Movin's Fund Hub as our online donation platform. Simply register your family, create quick student profile(s), and donate! See a quick tutorial video HERE. If you're a 'returning' family - simply use the same e-mail to log-in and add your student to our event!
After registering, you can easily share your donation webpage with friends, family, and neighbors via email, text, or social media. If you have more than one student at Fern Hill, share the FAMILY webpage where donors can have their donation split evenly among students in your family. It's a really fun way to see where donations come from, and how far our reach is around the country!
*Note: There is an option to pay a 15% "donor credit" online to help retain the maximum profit for Fern Hill PTO. This is completely optional but helps pay for the use of the platform.
Cash or personal check donations:
Complete the bottom portion of our fundraiser flyer, enclose your pledge payment and have your student deliver it to the Main Office at Fern Hill Elementary School. Checks should be made payable to: Fern Hill Elementary PTO. Fern Hill PTO retains 100% of all cash/check donations.
Loose Change:
Back by popular demand, we're gathering loose coins, and small bills ($1 & $5) in each of our classrooms. In past years, simply collecting coins raised over $2,400. Every little bit helps! The classroom with the highest collection by Monday, October 6 will win a "Minute to Win It" party with Dr. Southmayd! *All coins collected help towards your classroom goal.
SHARE: 50 US State Challenge:
In past years, we received donations from 28 United States and Canada. Help us beat this record by sharing your donation link with family and friends! It only takes $10 to light up a state on our donation map -- it's incredible to see the support extend so far!
PRIZES & INCENTIVES
We're all about creating FUN AND FRIENDLY COMPETITION at Fern Hill! Check out these cool prizes you could win by participating!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: How much of my donation benefits the PTO?
A: PTO receives 100% of all cash/check donations, corporate match, and business sponsorships. If donating online, PTO earns 85% of your donation - BUT you have the option to pay the 'donor credit' so PTO retains all donation funds.
Q: Why is this fundraiser so important?
A: This is the MAIN donation campaign of the year that helps support our largest PTO expenses. Think of this fundraiser as a way to 'pay it forward' for field trip bus expenses, and enrichment supplies that helps your students and teachers. By partnering with local businesses and extending our fundraising beyond Fern Hill boundaries, we're able to offset the cost of these experiences and supplies, which helps ALL of our families!
Q: What is the operating budget for Fern Hill PTO and how do I know our dollars make a difference?
A: We're all about transparency at Fern Hill PTO: We always encourage families to attend our public PTO meetings held several times throughout the year where you can receive updates on our budget spending. The first meeting is Monday Sept. 15 from 6:00-6:30 PM at Fern Hill. Here's a snapshot of our fundraising last year and its incredible impact:
Our $23,000 goal helps finance some of these opportunities for our students and teachers:
- $10,400 (Field Trip Bussing) That's $25 per student!
- $5,600 (Teacher School Supply Grants)
- $4,600: 4th & 5th Grade traditions
- $3,000: Teacher Hospitality (Parent Conference Luncheons 2x; Teacher Appreciation Week)
VOLUNTEER TO HELP!
Want to help plan this big event, or would like to become a business sponsor? Please e-mail heidi.mulherin@gmail.com. Our volunteer sign-up is LIVE on Sign-Up Genius!
