FUNDRAISING
Even though Forest Hills Public Schools help defer a small percentage of our costs, most of our team budget is based on participation fees, fundraising, and sponsorship. The average fiscal year budget for FHC’S Rowing program is about $100,000, which makes fundraising and volunteer support the lifeblood of our program. Without fundraising, the FHC Rowing Team would simply not exist.
We are all in this together – rowers, parents, alumni, and volunteers. Participation and force multiplication are critical. Just like in a boat, together, we are stronger. Throughout the year, the Forest Hills Central High School Crew Boosters organize several different fundraising events to support our team. They are listed below. Please support the team and kids by participating in our fundraising activities!​​​
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The first annual Head of the Bottom Row-a-thon, was held November of 2021. The event was a fabulous success with multiple FHC rowing teams competed on rowing machines to “virtually” row the Grand River from Hillsdale County to Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. Since then, every year teams of Ranger rowers often exceed the 405,555-meter goal and surpass our fundraising expectations. Donations came from alumni, friends, family, and partners both locally and nationally. Over 250 contributors helped make our first Row-a-thon a success! Lookout for our annual Head of the Bottom Row-a-thon in November. The competition will be fierce, and we’ll need participation from everyone to beat our inaugural Row-a-thon results!
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Every other year we host a fun evening of "Fun"-raising and Celebration! Our last event was held in February of 2024 at Wildwood Farms. Our theme, Pulling Together, underscores the sentiment that we are all in this together. Parents, alumni, and friends of FHC Crew play an important role in the success of our team. Look out for our next event and if you want to donate to the team, we accept donations.
Restaurant Nights & Movie Screenings​
The team can receive a percentage of all sales for one evening at a restaurant or movie screening. Watch for announcements via email and plan to join us for these evenings packed with fun and camaraderie!
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Spiritwear​
The team offers seasonal team merchandise in an online for rowers and families to show their team spirit. Regular updates for the seasonal stores are on the Parents of FHC Crew Facebook page. Any questions or suggestions reach out to our uniform coordinator Erin Oderkirk at uniforms@fhccrew.org.​
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Sponsor the Team​
If your place of work matches employee donations or you work for a local community-oriented organization that may consider sponsorship, we are happy to share details about promotional opportunities.
Make a Naming Gift
If you want to celebrate your rower, naming a boat or seat can be a great way to commemorate their legacy.
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Make a Donation
If your family considers charitable donations at a certain time of year or you have gift-giving traditions around holidays, please share the crew team as an option. If you know of an organization that can provide in-kind donations of food, event space, or other supplies, we would love to discuss it. Here is a link to submit a donation.
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Have a Fundraising Idea?​
If you have a fundraising idea or suggestion for the FHC Crew Team, don't hesitate to contact Matt Cushman, the booster's fundraising chair, at fundraising@fhccrew.org. ​
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