Meet Summer
Whiteland, IN
Treasurer, Whiteland Elementary School PTO
How she uses Cheddar Up
- Back to school pool party
- Coupon card fundraiser
- Chili cook off
- Fit-a-thon
Cheddar Up user since
2023
NUMBER OF COLLECTIONS
15
TOTAL COLLECTED
$8.4K+
(and counting!)
When Summer Havron attended a PTO meeting at Whiteland Elementary School out of curiosity, little did she know she’d end up playing a pivotal role in reviving the organization during challenging times. As an analytics manager by profession, Summer’s expertise was a perfect fit for the treasurer role she volunteered for. Her journey with the PTO, though unexpectedly time-consuming, has been incredibly rewarding, giving her direct access to the school administration and allowing her to be aware of what’s going on at the school.
The PTO, comprised of six full-time working moms, has mastered the art of juggling responsibilities to support the school’s initiatives. This dynamic team faced a significant challenge: modernizing their fundraising efforts to enhance efficiency and inclusivity. That’s where Cheddar Up came into the picture, revolutionizing how the PTO managed events and fundraisers.
Transition to Digital Ease with Cheddar Up
Before Summer’s involvement, the PTO had tried a variety of solutions for payment processing and registrations. But because the systems weren’t linked together, it made things incredibly hard to track. Recalling her positive experience with Cheddar Up at a previous school, Summer introduced the platform to streamline digital payments and sign-ups. Cheddar Up proved invaluable for events like the back-to-school pool party, coupon card sales, the annual chili cook-off, and a craft fair, simplifying payment processes and registrations.
Cheddar Up’s intuitive interface made setting up events a breeze, resembling the marketing platforms Summer was familiar with. The form functionality and the ability to sign waivers digitally were particularly helpful for organizing other PTO activities. On-site payment capabilities further enhanced the PTO’s flexibility during events.
“It’s a very intuitive platform and the form functionality is awesome. The ability for us to take payments through a link and on-site really helped us out.”
Summer Havron
“If we hadn’t had that [Cheddar Up] option, I don’t know that we would have raised that much on our own through [other] digital platforms.”
Summer Havron
The Heart of PTO Success: Community and Impact
For Summer and the PTO, the greatest joy comes from deeply impacting the school community. Despite having limited resources, the dedication of Whiteland Elementary’s families and the PTO’s efforts have led to remarkable fundraising successes. These funds have enriched students’ educational experiences, supported staff appreciation initiatives, and ensured engaging, health-promoting activities for the children.
One of the most transformative benefits of adopting Cheddar Up has been the dramatic increase in the funds retained from their fundraising efforts. Previously, collaborations with external fundraising companies meant that up to 50% of the profits were not directed back to the school, significantly diluting the impact of each dollar raised. In contrast, Cheddar Up’s platform has enabled the PTO to keep 100% of the profits from their initiatives. This shift has empowered them to funnel more resources directly into enriching the students’ educational experiences and allowed for greater flexibility in how funds are allocated.
Looking Forward with Gratitude and Optimism
Reflecting on her favorite aspect of being part of the PTO, Summer highlights the opportunity to make a real difference in her children’s education and the broader school community. Despite the challenges faced by the education sector, the PTO’s collaboration with Cheddar Up has enabled them to create a more engaging, supportive, and thriving school environment.
“I feel like what we’re doing is actually making an impact… [For example,] on testing days, we’re providing snacks. Or with fundraising, one of our fundraising prizes is a lock-in sleepover that the kids just absolutely love….Being on the PTO allows me to impact the school and give my kids extra opportunities that they may not have otherwise.”
Summer Havron
Whiteland Elementary’s PTO’s story is a testament to the power of community, dedication, and the right tools in overcoming obstacles and fostering a positive educational atmosphere. Thanks to Summer Havron and the collective effort of the PTO members, the school has not only navigated through difficult times but has also set a shining example of what passionate parents and effective tools like Cheddar Up can achieve together.
Before you go
Join Summer and so many others who saved time and increased their fundraising efforts with Cheddar Up.
