PTO » Fundraising

Fundraising

Bright Night is Edison PTO's annual big Spring fundraising event.

 

Join the PTO for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. Participate through planning the event, hosting a parent party, buying tickets, or through sponsorship.

 

Buy Tickets or Sponsorship
Host a Parent Party

 

Would you like to help in a small or large way with this year's Bright Night event? Looking for Volunteers!

We're excited to start planning for Bright Night 2025! It's our Spring fundraiser and helps bring in funds that support our school, teachers, staff, and students in many ways!

Please follow this link to sign up to help us plan and host this event! 

New for Bright Night this year...childcare! Ages 2 and up can be dropped off at Montessori Gifted Prep (4754 N Leavitt, in Lincoln Square) while you enjoy the night out. Pizza will be provided. Care is available from 6PM-11:30PM for $100 ($50 for additional siblings). A minimum of 5 children are needed.

 

Email here or [email protected] to enroll with the subject line "Edison Childcare" before March 21.

You can also support Edison when you shop:
 
School ID: 204689
Scan your school supplies or grocery receipts in the Box Tops for Education app to fundraise for Edison!
Learn more here and download the app to get started.
 

Keep your student's belongings out of the lost and found!

Start here when you purchase from Mabel's Labels, and search for "Edison Parent Teacher Organization" to fundraise for Edison!

 

Minted

Shop Minted holiday cards and custom gifts. Use unique promo code, FUNDRAISEEDISON, and enjoy 20% off purchases, plus 15% of the net sales will be donated back to the Edison PTO!
Shop at minted.com/holiday

Paint your own pottery Fundraiser with Color Me Mine at 3849 N Lincoln Ave.

Come anytime during the week of December 9 - December 15 and mention Edison to receive a 15% giveback for our school.

 

Grab some friends and make it a fun event or come during one of the weekend slots. Parents' Night is BYOB.

 

Painted pottery for loved ones makes a great gift! Please note it may take 10 days - 2 weeks to receive your pottery, check with the studio regarding pickup dates.

 

For more information, visit https://northcenter.colormemine.com/

8th Grade is fundraising with Double Good Popcorn November 14-18. You can order your popcorn here: https://popup.doublegood.com/s/5c8n9r5c
Note that the fundraisers ends 11/18 at 5PM.

Trackathon is Thursday, September 26 at River Park from 12:20PM - 2:30PM

 

MAKE YOUR DONATIONS HERE!

Search for your student's preferred name for personal pages or donate to the all-school main fundraiser page.


Edison's Trackathon is an annual event where students run or walk laps and participate in field activities to raise funds for the school. It's one of our biggest fundraisers, and we'd love for every family to be involved! Whether you volunteer, cheer, or donate, your support is essential to Trackathon's success.


How You Can Help

Every bit of support counts! Here are some ways you can get involved:

  • Support your child's fundraising efforts: Encourage them to reach out to friends and family and share their personal pledge page.
  • Purchase raffle tickets: Buy tickets for a chance for your child to pie a participating Edison staff member or win incredible Bulls tickets!
  • Volunteer your time: We need help with everything from setup to cheering to cleanup. Sign up today!
  • Become a website sponsor: There is still time to showcase your business while supporting our school. 
  • Come and cheer on your child! Your enthusiasm will fuel their energy and make them feel like champions.
 

Our Fundraising Goal

This year, we're aiming high! Our goal is to raise $52,000 – that's one-third of our PTO budget this year. With every student raising $260, we'll reach our target and unlock amazing opportunities for our school.


The top three fundraising classes will win exciting prizes! Check out our school's progress here.


Why Fundraising Matters

The Edison PTO is a driving force behind the enriching experiences our students enjoy. Your contributions fund:

  • Essential classroom supplies and technology
  • Exciting after-school programs and athletics
  • Creative arts and science materials
  • Teacher appreciation initiatives
  • Community-building events like Game Night and Winter Social

Every donation, big or small, fuels our mission to provide the best possible educational experience for every Edison student. Thank you for your generosity!


MORE DETAILS!

  • Show Your Spirit: Students will receive a free Edison Trackathon t-shirt — wear it with pride on race day and all year long!
  • Cool Down Treat: Classes with 75% fundraising participation will earn a popsicle party!

Remember: The Edison PTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation may be tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for details.


Email [email protected] with any questions.
 
 

Trackathon FAQs


Can family members attend?

Absolutely! We encourage family and friends to join us at River Park Track to cheer on the students and enjoy the afternoon.


Is Trackathon a race? How will my child know how many laps they've completed?

Trackathon is more of a fun run/walk event than a competitive race. It's about participation and raising funds, not who runs the fastest! We'll have volunteers marking students' wrists for each lap they complete, so they can easily keep track of their progress and celebrate their achievements.


Can I pick up my child early from the park?

No, early dismissal from River Park is not allowed. All students will return to Edison as a group after the Trackathon activities for the Pie Raffle and final dismissal.


Do all the classes run at the same time?

No, to ensure everyone has ample space and opportunity to participate, we've staggered the running/walking activities. Grades K,1,7 & 8 will run/walk laps on the track while grades 2-6 enjoy field activities. Groups will switch halfway through the event, so everyone gets a chance to do both!


Will water be available? What about snacks?

Yes, water coolers and cups will be provided for students at the track to keep them hydrated. We encourage parents to bring their own water bottle as the coolers will be for student use only. 


Snacks will not be provided at the event, but students will be heading to Trackathon shortly after lunchtime.Please ensure your child has a satisfying lunch before the event.


What should my child bring?

We recommend sending your child with a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable running shoes. They'll also receive their Trackathon t-shirt to wear on the day of the event.


Where can I park for Trackathon?

The River Park Track is located in the southwest corner of the park, near Albany Ave and Argyle St. Street parking is available around the park and on Kedzie Ave. We recommend arriving early to secure a spot, as parking can be limited.


Tip: If you plan on staying for the pie event after Trackathon, consider parking near the school and then sign up to be a class escort!


How will I find my child at the track?

With all students wearing the same Trackathon t-shirt, it can be helpful to have your child wear something distinctive, like a brightly colored hat or a unique accessory. Kindergarten students will also be wearing visors for easy identification.


What about bathrooms?

Bathrooms are available at the main River Park building, which is about a 7-minute walk from the track. Please plan accordingly. We will ensure students use the restrooms at school before departing for the park.


I signed up to volunteer. What happens next?

You'll receive an email from our volunteer coordinator, Melissa, by next Tuesday, September 24th, with specific details about your role and schedule. If you don't receive this email by Wednesday morning, please reach out to us at [email protected].


How do I access my child's personalized fundraising page?

  • Go to: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ERGCTrackathon2024 
  • Find your child's page: Start typing their FIRST name in the search field and select their name from the drop-down menu.
  • Share their unique link: Copy the link from your browser's address bar and send it to friends and family! 

How does fundraising work, and what are the prizes?

Each student has a personalized fundraising page that can be shared with friends and family to collect donations. The top three fundraising classes will win exciting prizes! 


How does my child's class earn the popsicle party?

A class earns a popsicle party when 75% or more of the students in that class participate in the Trackathon fundraiser by getting at least one donation on their 99Pledges page. Every donation, no matter the size, counts towards reaching this goal!


Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes, sponsorships and donations made through 99Pledges for Trackathon are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law as the Edison PTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. However, please note that raffle ticket purchases are not tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for further details.


Do sponsorships from Edison family businesses count towards the class fundraising competition and participation prizes?

Yes! We're thrilled to have the support of our Edison families who own businesses. Sponsorships from these businesses will be counted towards both the class fundraising totals and the participation percentage for the popsicle party.


Do pie raffle ticket purchases count towards participation for class rewards like the popsicle party?

No, only Trackathon donations will count toward class participation or fundraising goals.


When do the competitions for fundraising and participation end?

Both the fundraising competition and participation tracking for the popsicle party end on October 1st at 11:59 PM Central Time. Make sure to get those final donations in before the deadline!