Concerned about fundraiser

To the editor,

I was asked to buy tickets for a fundraiser for the Anna-Jonesboro boy’s basketball team. It is a worthy cause to support our young athletes, but I have several objections to the way this particular fundraiser was handled.

First, the tickets one buys will offer price reductions in goods and services by businesses, only one of which is a local establishment in Anna (Pizza Hut). This means a fundraising company was hired without local interests in mind.

Second, the players were asked to sell at least $60 worth of tickets. Falling short of this amount, they may not be able to participate in activities using funds from the fundraiser and get extra team duties assigned to them. If they sell $100 worth, then the mandatory team pullover will be given to them.

Not everyone will be in the position to sell this many tickets, particularly when the choices of companies on the ticket are not attractive. I object to these tactics to meet a goal and I am wondering how much the fundraising company charges.

Third, I understand that the team sports outfits are handled by a company which is not local. I have strong feelings that we should support local, taxpaying firms instead of going outside the area. Personally I am not associated with any businesses in Union County. But as taxes support the school, the school should be mindful to use local businesses whenever reasonable and feasible.

Signed, Monika Plumb, Lick Creek