East Ascension Reclaims Mattress Fundraiser National Record!!

From left to right: Jamie Andrews, Nicole Primeaux & Asst. Principal Kim Uzee

Record breaking news is out from Custom Fundraising Solutions…again! Not more than a month ago we reported that a new Mattress Fundraiser national record was set in Allen, TX with the Eagle Escadrille (the “Biggest Band in the Land”.) The word traveled fast to Gonzales, Louisiana, where 2-time record holder, East Ascension High School took on the challenge and earned back their title for the 3^rd time, at their September 26^th Mattress Fundraiser.

The official numbers came in at 160 beds and $27,210 given back this year! This makes them the national record holder for the third time in a row.  They’ve now raised a total of $80,335 from their mattress fundraisers with Custom Fundraising Solutions!

Earning this impressive title year after year takes some special effort from within, particularly one special lady named, Jamie Andrews, a long-term teacher at East Ascension High School. Owner of CFS Louisiana, Nicole Primeaux had this to say about the schools “inspirational leader”, “NONE of this would be possible without JAMIE! She is the sole reason that this program works as well as it does every year. She holds everyone accountable, and never stops believing in what can be accomplished by each child. The reason that this works so well is not because of the incentives or the location, but the belief and sense of belonging and pride that Jamie puts into every student.”

When asked about the sale, Andrews responded, “East Ascension High School is ecstatic that our community rose to the occasion to help us reclaim the national record with Custom Fundraising Solutions.  Word of mouth spread in our community that the Mattress Fundraiser is THE time and place to purchase beds in Gonzales, Louisiana.  Several customers actually waited for our annual sale to purchase their new mattress sets!”

Each and every Mattress Sale benefits everyone involved, from the smallest to the largest group. Each one is as important as the next because these sales benefit the kids…and that’s what who believe in – THE KIDS!

Upcycling to Keep it Green

Upcycling to Keep it Green

CFS of Central Texas owners, Chris and Justina Lambert were recently recognized for more than giving back to local schools and groups in their area. Working with Austin Creative Reuse, a nonprofit organization that collects, sells, and distributes donated reusable materials, the Lamberts were able to “upcycle” past Mattress Fundraiser yard signs in multiple ways! Justina commented, “While Austin is famously known for “keeping it weird,” it is exciting to know that there are innovative groups out there thinking ‘outside the box’ to keep our planet a little bit greener!”

To find your local Custom Fundraising Solutions office, visit our website: http://www.customfundraisingsolutions.com/#!locations/c1eg4

The whole story from Austin Creative Reuse can be found here: http://austincreativereuse.org/2015/08/meet-an-austin-creative-reuse-donor/  

As new parents, creating a sustainable future is front of mind for the Lamberts.

A New National Record!

NEW NATIONAL RECORD SET BY BIGGEST BAND IN THE LAND!!

Back to School and Back to Work; The Allen Eagle Escadrille Sells a Record 147 Mattresses

Welcome back to school! Custom Fundraising Solutions hopes this year will be your best yet! It’s already ours! We are proud to announce that Custom Fundraising Solutions has officially given back over $14 million dollars to schools, teams, and groups across the country via the Mattress Fundraiser.

Last month, the Allen Eagle Escadrille, the “Biggest Band in the Land”, hosted their first mattress fundraiser with Custom Fundraising Solutions of North Texas (CFS of North Texas.) The Escadrille’s fundraiser made history, selling 147 mattresses and breaking the current national record. Their efforts, those of the Booster Club and the community support helped the Eagle Escadrille earn an impressive $25,650.  

All funds raised by the 147 mattresses sold will support their upcoming trip to the Rose Parade® next January in Pasadena, California! Families and individuals from all over browsed the mattress showroom set up in the Allen High School Band Hall. Each of the 147 purchases supported the Escadrille’s upcoming trip to the New Year’s Day Rose Parade.

Part of what made the fundraiser such a success was the student’s involvement! Check out this great promotional video made by the Escadrille band!

Joe Matejka, founder and President of Custom Fundraising Solutions was present at the record-breaking fundraiser. “We averaged selling one mattress every 4 minutes over a 9 hour period. It really got us excited to see the community support such a great group of hard-working kids, all while getting a quality product they need at a great price. That is why we are in this business…to help the kids!”  Custom Fundraising Solutions congratulates the Allen Eagle Escadrille for their hard work and dedication during the fundraiser and wish you all the best of luck in January!

The Allen Eagle Escadrille raised $25,650 for their upcoming trip!

We love Instagram

We ♥ Instagram

Custom Fundraising Solutions is on Instagram! Follow us @customfundraisingsolutions and use our corresponding hashtags to join the conversation. Even if you’re not on Instagram, chances are most of your friends are, and you should be too! Post and tag photos of your own fundraisers with the hashtags #mattressfundraiser and #customfundraisingsolutions and encourage volunteers and customers to do the same! You can also use the direct message function to send us your photos and we’ll re-post them! Get involved on Instagram and maximize your exposure and funds raised!

Tips for a Successful School Fundraiser

Maybe you and your team or group is skeptical about fundraising. Well, after almost a decade of experience and over $10 million dollars given back to school and groups across the country, Custom Fundraising Solutions is confident that fundraisers…more specifically, mattresses fundraisers are the best option.

Hoover High School Football $13,150!

As our founder Joe Matejka mentions in this video, mattress fundraisers may seem a bit far-fetched but they absolutely work. If you’re looking to fundraise this school year, here are some must-know tips compiled by our own Missy Yelton of CFS Twin Cities:

• ·         Always be open to new fundraiser ideas, especially those that would require less work for more return.
• ·         Less is more - rather than having 10+ small fundraisers per year, focus the effort on having 1-3 big ones that bring in a lot of money in just one day.  Asking parents and students to participate in a dozen or so fundraisers per year leads to burnout, and lowered participation rate, thus lowering the money raised.
• ·         Work to get EVERY member/student involved in fundraising somehow - if you are a Coach/Music Director/Program Leader, be excited about fundraising, even if you have boosters.  Everyone else will follow your lead.
• ·         If there is a Booster group, or core volunteer group, don't let different political agendas sidetrack the success of your fundraisers.  Work so that everyone supports the avenues you choose to raise funds, because working together means success.  DO look to fill positions with those who are more collaborative, open to new ideas and truly care about the overall mission of your organization.

Roseville Area Music Program made $10,000!

Most importantly, have FUN with FUNdraising! 

Northwest Guilford High School's Recipe for Success

When Director Brian McMath scheduled the first ever Mattress Fundraiser for the Northwest Guilford High School Band, he challenged his parents and students to beat out all other top earning programs. Custom Fundraising Solutions of Charlotte reported a total of 81 beds sold for a payback to the music program of what will be nearly $11,000 dollars!

What made this fundraiser so successful for Northwest Guilford, especially since this was their first ever Mattress Fundraiser sale?  “It comes down to two things: focus and drive. When the entire program is focused on getting the word out, which is the most important factor for a successful sale, they will undoubtedly get the results they are looking for,” said Mark Irvin of CFS Charlotte.

The program had set the bar high.  “Like a lot of things in life, you just need a goal,” commented Irvin. The determination of the director and kids in the program, as well as the overwhelming support of the community combined to make a winning recipe.