Having kids in elementary school, junior high and high school participating in T-ball, soccer, Cross-Country, baseball, and basketball means more than putting a lot of miles on your vehicle-it means you're going to be involved in a lot of fundraisers.

Fundraisers are a necessary evil.

They make it possible to raise money for expensive but necessary equipment and supplies and allow kids of all socioeconomic levels to participate, not just the wealthy ones.

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However, it gets mighty old hawking ovеrpriced chocolates and gift wrap on innocent neighbors and co-workers.

Late last night we were introduced to a new fundraising idea: flocking.

Just as my husband was about to turn off the porch lights for the evening, he noticed something unusual in the yard, three plastic pink flamingos festooned with tinsel garland.

The attached note read: You've been flocked! These flamingos have landed in your yard on behalf of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program.

For a donation, this lovely flock of pink fowl will be happy to fly to another yard of your choice.

Flock your friends! Flock your neighbors! Have fun while helping the children of your community!

We were lucky to only have a small flock in our yard, a local dentist had a group of over forty land in front of his office!

My youth group offered "spook insurance" to local businesses. If any of their windows were egged or soaped over Halloween, the group would clean it up free of charge.

(And because it was a church group, we didn't trash their properties if they declined!)

What are some creative fund raising ideas you've come across?

If your area didn't fare well (I'm looking at you, Motor City!), don't despair.

Men's Health is looking for a physical education program in a school to completely renovate.

Nomination forms are available online for people (like PTO members, student councils, English classes, or concerned citizens) to nominate their local schools to get the information and equipment necessary to improve the health and fitness levels of the students.

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This plan is a lot better than the one presented by the satirical Onion News Network, so don't be too shy to send in a nomination.