In these tough economic times, the Willow Springs Elementary School PTA is thinking outside of the box and pushing our "No Frills Fundraising" programs hard. No Frills Fundraising programs are those which do not require parents or other supporters to spend any extra money out of pocket to support our school. As you know, the Wake County board of education has drastically cut funds to schools this year. And with the bleak job market and layoffs that families are facing, the sale fundraisers are not enough to bring in the extra funds that the school needs.

One of the programs the school is participating in is Harris Teeters "We Think Green" contest. The school is collecting plastic shopping bags from September 30 - November 10 for the chance to win up to $1,000. Not only are we trying to raise money for the school, but we are also keeping thousands of plastic bags out of the landfill.

Willow Springs Elementary has made huge strides in the General Mills Box tops for Education campaign. With a bit of motivation - the administration has agreed to a tricycle race against the top collector in each grade - if the school makes its goal of $4,258! In the last school year, the students more than tripled their earnings in this program! General Mills and Avery print "box tops" on a multitude of products. These "box tops" are worth 10 cents apiece to a participating school.

The PTA is also exploring several possible grant opportunities in areas such as technology, PE and literacy. The funding is out there, and the PTA is working tirelessly to get the grant applications written and submitted.

The schools biggest hurdle lies in getting the word out to not only parents of the children that attend the school, but the community at large. The school encourages members of the community to assist in all of the no frills collection efforts that they participate in.

For information on all of the no frills fundraising efforts that Willow Springs Elementary participates in, please go to www.orgsites.com/nc/wsesnofrills, or the schools website at www.willowspringselementaryschool.com.