Chamber of Commerce, Parent-Teacher Organization Discuss Fundraising

The Montville chamber of commerce is considering partnering with the township's parent-teacher organizations for a soft fundraiser this coming school year.

According to Kathy Lindert, PTO President for Montville high school and a chamber of commerce member, the idea revolves around local businesses holding specials at least three times a year in which a portion of sales, either in dollar amounts or a percentage, would be donated to one of the area's seven public schools.  In return, the local businesses would receive free advertising from the PTO on its website and in its emails.

"At least three times a year, business could hold a fundraiser," she said. "We would distribute coupons for use at the businesses and a portion of the sales or whatever would come back to us."

Lindert sees the idea as beneficial to the community for both the schools and the businesses.

"It keeps money in community," she said. "Its going to help the local businesses by advertising them, its going to help the school and its going to help the kids."

Lindert presented the fundraising idea to the chamber at its monthly meeting Tuesday, July 17, as a means to raise money for district schools without constantly asking local businesses for a donation.

"As a business owner, I'm constantly getting hit up for money and donations," she said. "So I thought, how can we minimize all this?"

Chamber of commerce President, Margret P. Miller, was enthusiastic about the idea, saying that it tied in with the chamber's motto of "buy local."

"It seems like a win-win," she said. "Our merchants can get some local exposure and the PTO, because they're really getting cuts, this should be a nice way to raise some money."

The chamber motioned to announce the fundraising idea to its members and measure the response.

The chamber's next meeting is on Tuesday, September 21 at 12 noon at the township municipal building.