Written by Ashlee Kieler | Staff Writer

The Altoona Elementary PTA saw a unique fundraising opportunity and seized it.

With RAGBRAI coming to Altoona, and the PTA always looking for ways to raise funds for the school, it seemed like a perfect fit to combine the two.

“We heard about this and thought it was one of those things that you can’t pass up,” said Amber Myers, the PTA organizer for the event. “It’s a huge opportunity for us. It’s obviously different than normal going door to door.”

After deciding to host the fundraiser, Myers and other organizers focused on what to sell.

“We have frozen bananas hand dipped in gourmet chocolate, nuts, rainbow sprinkles and dark chocolate, too,” she said. “We have a large variety of baked goods.”

The Altoona PTA vendor booth also sold popcorn and water for $1. Glow necklaces for $1 added a little fun to the evening as
well.

The entire community came out to support the fundraiser, even those without students at the school, Myers said.

“We sent out communications asking people for help, it’s mainly parents that have students, but we’ve had people that just want to help,” she said.

The PTA hosted a drop-off on Tuesday for baked goods from parents who volunteered at the booth.

“However we can get it, we’re going to take it,” Myers said on Tuesday. “We’re trying to make it as easy as we can for our volunteers.”

Volunteers, including a few students, manned the booth at the Aquatics Center for a few hours at a time on Thursday.

Gina Christensen was one of the first volunteers, setting up shop around 9 a.m.

“Things are going great,” Christensen said. “Hopefully it doesn’t rain, but we’re excited Advertisement to be a part of the event.”

Myers expected the booth to be open from 3 p.m. to midnight.

“It’s fun but overwhelming all the same,” she said.

Myers said she hoped the students learned it takes a little hard work in anything you do and it can be a great opportunity.

“We want to instill the concept of working hard to earn things,” she said. “The concept of teamwork, too. We’ve had an enormous amount of support. The help is amazing. We want the volunteers to enjoy it.”

Shannon McWilliams, Atoona Elementary parent and volunteer, said she enjoyed manning the booth.

“It’s been great so far,” she said. “We have a great crowd and have sold a lot of treats.”

McWilliams said the evening crowd had really picked up, with rice krispie bars, chocolate-covered bananas and water being the top sellers.”

“It’s a fun time,” she said of the RAGBRAI crowds. “It’s fun seeing the parents and students volunteer and meeting people. I talked to someone from Texas, and earlier someone from Australia.”

The funds raised will help with everything from new technology to supporting teachers or scholarships.

“There are several things we are always needing money for,” she said. “Ultimately we want to continue funding technology upgrades and advancement in our classrooms. We want to add a smart board for every classroom. We like to support teachers and students through funding and
enrichment.”