If you’ve ever had a child enrolled in a private school, you know that you hear a lot of the f-word. Fundraising. My daughter attends a private school for children with autism. It is a very small school that strives to keep class sizes small, because it is so important that our kids have as much one-on-one attention as possible. So they are always looking for fundraising opportunities and have most recently entered the Pepsi Refresh Project. In Pepsi’s words, they are giving away millions of dollars in grants to refresh (translation = fund) individuals and communities that have great ideas.

There are varying amounts that your cause can try for, ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. Audrey’s school is in the $50,000 category. As I write this, they are in 132^nd place. Hopefully the rankings in this contest aren’t indicative of our priorities as a nation, because here is a sampling of causes that are ahead of a school for children with autism:

In 21^st place: Restoring the old Blue Streak roller coaster somewhere in bu-fu Pennsylvania. Are you f-undraising KIDDING ME!!!

In 123^rd place: Expanding a habitat for African and Asian elephants in Arkansas.  I heard that Arkansas is proposing to copycat Arizona’s anti-immigration legislation…so send ‘em back where they came from!!!

I’d say at least 1/3 of the causes ahead of Audrey’s school’s are animal-related. Spaying/neutering, animal cruelty shelters, curing doggy cancer, finding a home for 100 homeless bunnies. I know we are an animal-loving nation and I run the risk of pissing some people off, but really? Homeless bunnies over autistic children?

It also saddens me to see schools in need roof repairs, musical instruments, playgrounds, and BOOKS. I’m pretty sure that in Sweden they don’t have to enter soda contests to get funding for such things.

And in 1^st place…drum roll please…”Arts Programming For Children In The Capital Region”. When I first saw it, I mistook “capital” for “capitol” and assumed they were talking about the impoverished area around D.C. But the capital they are referring to is Albany, NY. The mean and unforgiving streets of Cohoes, NY, to be exact. Take a look at the picture posted on their entry. It looks like the cast of Glee.

I know. I shouldn’t judge. I shouldn’t take this stupid Pepsi contest as a hard and fast indicator of our nation’s priorities. Sure, the entries pretty much cover the gamut of social issues, and yes, they are clearly ranked in ascending numeric order, but…where was I going with this?

In fairness, there are lots of other worthy causes in the running, and, in fact, other autism-related programs as well. And I’m sure the best cause will win…that is if you register a vote every day through July 31. I’d like to at least beat out the elephants.

http://www.refresheverything.com/cep

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6 Responses to “Guest Blogger Lynn Hudoba: Autism, Bunnies, and Roller Coasters, Oh My: A Charity Smackdown”