Trunk or Treat Fundraiser Exceeds Expectations

 Jodi Silverstein hoped to raise about $1,250 for Springfield’s schools with the first All for One fundraising event. She ended up getting a lot more than that.

“We netted $2,000,” Silverstein, the founder and driving force behind the All For One Fund said, explaining how last weekend’s Trunk or Treat show surpassed her fundraising goals. “For my first effort, if I could have brought in $250 for each of the five schools, that would have been a success for me.”

The All For One Fund takes its name from its approach to dispersing fundraising proceeds. Instead of focusing on a single school, the All For One Fund divides fundraising proceeds are between the PTAs or PTOs of Springfield’s five public schools. The idea came about after Silverstein chaired the Edward V. Walton Playground Fund over the past four years and wanted to do something that would benefit the entire community.

“In these economic times everyone is fighting for the same dollar,” Silverstein said. “It’s easier to give to one central location and know that every school will benefit.”

The Trunk or Treat sale, held on Halloween, was the first district-wide fundraiser put on by the group. All for One Fund’s is now gearing up for the Buck-a-Book Reading Incentive Program, where sponsors donate amounts of money based on the number of books read by students.

Proceeds from Buck-a-Book will be divided among the schools based on each school’s enrollment, with the money earmarked for Jonathan Dayton High School being put toward each class’ Project Graduation fund.