My dd and her friend decided to do the Take a Stand program. This was on her own initiative. . .(well actually she wanted to sell her stories for charity but um. . .I thought a lemonade stand might work about better :lol: ) Anyways, the Parks & Rec department has turned us down saying that this is a bad precedent to set and we cannot sell at their events. (They have free concerts on the lawn in Parkchester so the girls wanted to sell near the entrance or something.) The girls are. . .needless to say. . .disappointed but the other mom and I are seriously considering calling the news and raising a little 'awareness' about this so called bad precedent. What would you do?
It sounds like fun and a great cause! Can you do it close by, just not on their property? Or several other days during the summer? Being as the concert is free. Maybe they don't want anyone to have to pay anything?
That is too bad! Last year a few children were selling Lemon Aid on the sidewalk and the city came by and fined the parents because they did not have a permit to sell. The city was actually right, legally, but the neighbors stood by the children and lemon aid sales soared! It was on the news and the city decided not to fine the family after all. I know here, Parks and Rec does not allow any sales unless it is during one of there functions and the seller is an insured vendor because they do not want to take it on themselves if something goes wrong. Patty
A couple of options to consider: 1)Can you talk to any event organizers to see if they have any need of refreshment sales? 2) Would the city object if your kids were selling drinks that were sealed (canned or bottled soft drinks, bottled water, bottled tea, etc.)? I read that Sunkist is the sponsor of the idea, but maybe you could alter it if necessary to comply with the city. I know that here Parks and Rec requires the Health Dept. to inspect vendors who are selling homemade items, and they have to have all kinds of things like bleach water for cleaning, etc. Patty is absolutely right about cities protecting themselves from potential problems (i.e. lawsuits). It is great that your dd and her friend want to do charity work, so if this stand idea doesn't work out, maybe there is something else that they could do.
Woops. . .sorry guys. . .I just realized that I meant to post this in 'other conversations'. A mod can move it if need be. As far as doing it in another spot the answer is yes and no. The idea was to do it there to raise awareness for cancer research and for their chosen chairty. We had also planned on doing it throughout the summer so yeah--we'll do it all over the place. We cannot do it anywhere near there though when they're having their free concerts. It's not the food apparently that is the issue. . .since it's just drinks. (That's another one I don't understand but I'm not going to question it.) Apparently, they don't want community people involved in their pre-planned community events. The bad precedent that it would be is that anyone could then come and ask the city if they could be involved in the community and they'd have to say 'yes'. This is what was explained to us. I think we are going to pursue it with news channels, the mayor and whoever else will listen. We figure it's a good opportunity for the girls to learn to write business letters! LOL Valorie
Is your Parks and Recreation owned by the city? Here Parks and Rec are two different entities. The city has no say so regarding Parks and Rec, from their parks, lakes, to their rented buildings. Around here, Parks and Rec is spread out throughout three cities. The only time they work together is when the cities advertise for Parks and Rec's rodeos and special occasions. Good luck! This will be a great experience for the children to learn just how the system works. Keep us posted. Patty
Thanks ladies. . .more opinions are welcome. . .but I agree. It will be a great experience for the girls all the way around. I was planning on starting a blog for them so I'll post it here when I get it up. ;-) I have no idea who runs what. But Mayor Bloomberg is pretty nice?! ;-)
What about calling the American Cancer Society? Dh voluteers for them, and they have stuff going on all the time. Maybe they can help you or give you some direction.
okay, can my kids do that and donate to our local HElping Hands ministry? or does it have to be a big name? Also how do they get away with ( changed my terminology so it made more sence to everyone) with making a child get a permit????
Re: permit. People here would let their kids sell for the family business (think girls in India selling wares for the family) if they didn't make it a little difficult. No. . .it does not have to be a big name charity. You could have it donated to your church if you wanted. Click on the link and if they have a lemonade stand they'll send you one. Also, the girls are on the honor system to donate the percentage they say they're going to. . .they don't have to donate everything they make. So our girls are donating 30% to Samaritan's Purse and/or they are going to buy some soccer balls, chickens and goats. ;-) Then each girl is keeping 35% for themselves. Valorie
