Go Speedy Go Guidelines
Several years ago, after getting parent and teacher feedback, the PTO replaced multiple product-based fundraisers during the academic year with a one-time Direct Donation Drive model. Parents told us they didn’t want their children to buy or sell products and that 100% of money raised needs to stay right here at Cerritos!
In the spirit of keeping fundraising FUN for our students, we will once again be kicking off our epic fundraising game – Go, Speedy, Go! Join us as Speedy rockets Out of this World!
Go Speedy Go!
Speedy, our school mascot, is excited to lead the charge in raising important funding for Cerritos once again this year. He is getting his space suite on and boarding his rocket for his next adventure! Speedy’s goal is Out of this World! Every time a donation comes in for Go, Speedy, Go!, Speedy ascends towards outerspace. His ultimate goal is to raise $25,000 for Cerritos!
Why Donate?
We all want our children to BE WELL and to THRIVE. Daily, our teachers, administrators, and staff are finding innovative and creative ways to inspire our children despite any challenges they may have. Your contribution to Go, Speedy, Go! helps support their efforts. Funds raised will go towards crucial areas like:
- Health & Safety
- Classroom Allowances for Teachers
- Enhancement of Outdoor Learning Spaces for Classes
- Educational Resources
- Learning Materials & Supplies
- Art, Music, & Physical Education
- Staff Appreciation and Hospitality
- and much more!
The BEST news is that 100% of your donations STAY AT CERRITOS!
(Cerritos PTO does not use a third-party organization to run the fundraiser; it is completely administered by parent volunteers to ensure that all donations can directly benefit the school.)
Friday Prize Lift Off!
Go, Speedy, Go! is a WIN-WIN Opportunity! Cerritos wins with your donation and so can you! Speedy plans to add as much FUN as he can to the adventure. That’s why he is hosting an EXPLOSION of prizes that will be raffled off both Friday’s during the fundraiser!
- For every $25 you donate to Cerritos, your student will automatically be credited with one entry in our weekly Friday Prize Lift Off event. For example, donate $125 and your child is entered 5x! Donate $50 and your child is entered 2x!
- For best chances of winning, donate EARLY! Donations made prior to Wednesday, August 21st will be entered into a special Early Bird drawing for ticket package with 5 tickets to a Phoenix Rising match!
- If your child doesn’t win the first drawing, don’t worry! Your entries will automatically roll to the next drawing.
Early Bird Prize Lift Off!
- Donations made by Tuesday, August 20th at 11:59 PM will be eligible for an exclusive prize drawing on Wednesday, August 21st.
- Only those who donated early will be entered in this drawing.
- If your child doesn’t win this drawing, don’t worry! Your entries will automatically roll to the next prize drawings.
Prize Examples
- 3D Printer
- Arizona Diamondback Tickets
- Cerritos Principal for the Day
- Carload pass to Bearizona
- OdySea Aquarium
- Pizza making experience
- Passes to miscellaneous attractions in the valley
- MUCH MORE!
Please note: Each student is eligible to win one raffle prize maximum per campaign.
Your Support Matters
Did you know the PTO spends over $125 per student each year? Last year the PTO provided: $200 per teacher for classroom expenses, classroom supplies, educational materials, health & safety items, and support for all our Specials…Makerspace, Leadership Room, Art, Music, Library and P.E. We were also able to host all special events at no additional charge to our families (Ice Cream Social, Trunk-or-Treat, BINGO, Movie Night, Family Dance)! Your support makes this all possible!
Ways to Donate
We encourage families to donate what they can to support their child’s education. Every donation counts and is appreciated — whether it is $10, $100, or $1,000. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE if you can go above and beyond in your donation to help support other students who may not be able to donate as much. We love our Cerritos Community!
- To Donate by Credit Card– Visit www.cerritospto.org/donate to make your tax-deductible donation. A receipt will be emailed to you for tax reporting purposes.
- Check with your company’s Human Resource Department to see if they participate in a matching program.
Join the Journey!
We hope you and your child are encouraged to join Speedy as he heads to the moon this year! Nothing can slow our favorite Roadrunner mascot down! Go, Speedy, Go! is all about getting Speedy to his goal, winning prizes, and bringing in donations for Cerritos! Join the journey and make your donation TODAY!
Donate by Credit Card
Passive Fundraisers
These programs are NO COST to you and bring in thousands of dollars in cash and points to our school! Read all about it below and please give us your support!
Family Dinner Nights & Spirit Days
Come enjoy a night off from cooking at Family Dinner Nights/Spirit Days! Each month we arrange with a local restaurant to host a day/evening for Cerritos.
FAQ’s
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Is there a suggested donation amount for Go, Speedy, Go?
The PTO understands that each family has a different financial situation; donation amounts vary amongst families. EVERY DONATION MAKES A VALUABLE DIFFERENCE TO OUR STUDENTS! On average, the PTO spends $125 per student per school year. Our hope is that the community comes together in whatever ways we can to support our teachers and our school. If a family can contribute towards their student’s education (and possibly on behalf of another student) with their donation, it is appreciated! Thank you in advance for your support and generosity!
Does the fundraiser require our family to buy or sell anything?
NO! There are no products to buy or sell! This is a once-a-year, direct donation by families and community members. 100% of the money raised stays at Cerritos!
Will we have other fundraisers?
We will still have our Fall & Spring Book Fairs which benefit the Library and we will continue with Family Dinner Nights, and passive fundraisers such as Kroger, Box Tops, Office Depot/Office Max. If our $25,000 goal is met, there will be no additional fundraisers this school year. If we are unable to raise the goal of $25,000 then we may have to add admission costs to PTO sponsored events (i.e. Family Dance, BINGO Night, etc.).
How will the money raised from Go Speedy Go be used?
Money raised will be used to directly support your child’s education in the following areas:
* Learning Resources
* Classroom Supplies
* Health and Safety
* Art, Music, Physical Education, & Library
* Teacher Supply Closet (back-up school supplies, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, soap, tissues, etc.)
* Recess Equipment
* Indoor Tower Garden & Outdoor Cerritos Garden
* Student Clubs (such as Running Club and Yearbook)
* and more!
Can I make my donation via cash or check?
Credit card payments are preferred. Checks and cash are acceptable. Checks must include the student(s) name and teacher(s). Cash must be delivered directly to the front office with the student(s) name and teacher(s) listed. Teachers WILL NOT be able to accept cash donations.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, the Cerritos PTO is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization with the federal Tax ID of 86-0771502. If your donation is made online, a receipt will automatically be emailed to you for tax reporting purposes. If you pay by cash or check, please include a note stating that you need a receipt.
Does my donation count towards the Arizona Tax Credit?
No, this donation is not associated with the Arizona Tax Credit.
My employer matches donations to non-profit school related organizations. Does my Go Speedy Go donation qualify for this match?
YES! Many employers like Intel, State Farm, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, PepsiCo, Charles Schwab, Wells Fargo, Honeywell, Freeport McMoRan, Humana, and others offer matching gift programs to their employees. If you need the PTO to confirm receipt of your donation to initiate your matching gift, please contact us at president@cerritospto.org.
If you are unsure if your company matches, please choose “unsure” and reach out to your Human Resources department to find out.
How does PTO determine where the funding is spent throughout the course of the school year?
The PTO proposes and votes upon an annual budget at the beginning of each school year. Spending proposals are voted upon in the monthly PTO meetings. All Cerritos parents are welcome (and encouraged) to attend these meetings and actively collaborate with school administration to determine how the money is invested at Cerritos. All funding remains at Cerritos!
When does my donation need to be submitted by to be included in each of the drawings?
Wednesday EARLY BIRD Prize Giveaway (8/23/23): Great Wolf Lodge – All donations must be made by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, August 22 to be eligible for this prize. All non-winning donations made prior to this date will be re-entered into the drawing on Friday, August 25.
Friday PRIZE LIFTOFF Giveaway (8/25/23): Multiple prizes and a couple Grand Prizes will be given away, so be sure to get your donation in by 11:59 pm on Thursday, August 24 to be eligible for this drawing. All non-winning donations made prior to this date will be re-entered into the drawing on Friday, September 1.
Friday’s MOON LANDING Giveaway (9/1/23): Multiple prizes and a couple Grand Prizes will be given away, so be sure to get your donation in by 12:00 pm, on Friday, September 1 to be eligible for this drawing.
Winners will be selected through an independent random picker software application. Please note that each student is eligible to win only 1 raffle prize per Go Speedy Go annual campaign.
Can grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and co-workers donate on behalf of my child as well?
YES! Please spread the word! The more donations your child brings in, the higher their chances of winning a prize in one of Speedy’s drawings. In addition to individual prizes, the classrooms with the most participation will also be rewarded.
I have a few other questions. Who can I contact?
Please contact our PTO Presidents at president@cerritospto.org.