Saline Middle School in Michigan sent out a humorous fundraising letter asking parents to donate money directly instead of participating in a bake sale or other traditional fundraisers like walkathons. The letter offered various witty donation options, such as skipping the bake sale and just giving cash. This approach generated mixed reactions online, with some praising its straightforwardness while others criticized it for not teaching kids valuable skills.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
A Michigan middle school sent out a hilariously honest fundraiser letter that prompted students to donate cash instead of participating in their bake sale.
asserted
that → send → sale
Dan Reese, a Michigan dad, shared a photo on social media of the fundraiser form his daughter, a Saline Middle School student, brought home in early October.
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daughter → share → October
'My daughter's middle school has the most direct fundraising strategy and I'm here for it.
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I → have → it
We can skip the whole charade,' Reese wrote in a social media post.
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Reese → skip → post
The viral post on X featured a detailed description of what parents could expect from the fall-themed fundraiser.
uncertain
parents → feature → fundraiser
'This fundraiser is in lieu of sending students home with the task of selling door-to-door, collecting money, and delivering goods,' the form stated.
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form → send → goods
'Please help us avoid that by supporting the Saline Middle School PTO with your donation, and helping is achieve our goals to support our students and faculty' it said.
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it → help → students
Parents had a wide variety of donation amounts to pick from, paired with a witty reasoning for their choice.
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Parents → have → choice
One option read: 'I do not want to bake, so here is the money I would have spent on those cupcakes.'
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I → read → cupcakes
Dan Reese, a Michigan dad, shared a photo on social media of the fundraiser form his daughter, a Saline Middle School student, brought home in early October
'
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daughter → share → October
I do not want to walk, swim, or run in any activity that has the word "thon" in it.
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that → want → it
Here is the money I would have spent on my child's "free" t-shirt,' said another option.
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option → spend → shirt
'I really wouldn't have helped anyway, so here is $100 to forget my name,' another option said.
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option → help → name
Reese's viral post stirred controversy online with parents sharing their opinions on what the best fundraising strategy could be.
uncertain
strategy → stir → opinions
One commenter referred to the strikingly honest donation options as 'taking the easy way out and 'not teaching kids anything at all.'
'I remember the infamous "magazine sale" we used to have as kids.
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we → refer → kids
It built character.
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It → build → character
It got you used to people telling you no,' the commenter wrote.
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commenter → get → no
Other commenters responded in support to the hilarious strategy and praised the middle school for the original idea.
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commenters → respond → idea
'This is funny and I would have donated due to the boldness,' wrote one user.
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user → donate → boldness
'My kids school did that one time.
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school → do → that
It's the most money they have ever gotten out of me.
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they → get → me
I absolutely loved it,' a commenter wrote.
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commenter → love → it
Students and parents were reassured that 'participating is easy' and 'simple' if they wanted to provide extra support for their teachers
Saline Middle School has since shared a post of their own with details about the 'Fall Giving' fundraiser and how students could have a chance to win a 'Cider & Donuts' party
Once the post gained popularity online, Reese took advantage of the opportunity and encouraged the community to donate their money in support.
uncertain
Reese → reassure → support
'If everyone viewing this post sent the Saline Middle School PTO $1 I'd be the best fundraiser of all time,' Reese wrote on social media.
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Reese → view → media
Saline Middle School has since shared a post of their own with details about the 'Fall Giving' fundraiser and how students could have a chance to win a 'Cider & Donuts' party.
uncertain
students → share → party
The tone of the message contrasted with the form they initially sent home with students.
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they → contrast → students
'Help us support our amazing teachers!
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us → help → teachers
Our Fall Fundraiser is a simple way to provide extra support for our teachers and students throughout the year.
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Fundraiser → provide → year
If you're able, please consider making a contribution,' Saline Middle School wrote in a Facebook post.
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School → consider → post
'Every donation, big or small, is appreciated and helps us show out teachers just how much we value all they do!' the school wrote.
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school → appreciate → all
Students and parents were reassured in the post that 'participating is easy' and 'simple.'
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participating → reassure → post
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