Even after facing significant challenges this fall, the Saratoga Music Boosters’ (SMB) annual Cookie Dough Fundraiser raised a total of $12,080, selling 1,208 items and doing more sales than in the past four years.
The fundraiser struggled with advertising restrictions after district leadership under former superintendent Bill Sanderson expressed concerns that it would violate federal law under National School Lunch Program guidelines. However, fundraiser lead and SMB parent Lily Chow was able to work around these restrictions after former assistant superintendent Heath Rocha assumed the role of acting superintendent on Oct. 22. After Sanderson’s leave and the compromise was worked out, sales increased in the last stretch of the fundraiser.
“There were no new regulations, just irrational challenges that complicated the raising of funds that directly benefit SUSD and SHS music students,” SMB president Alicia de Fuentes said. “Needless to say, this fundraiser is a community pleasure too, and every student and their family enjoys this fundraiser.”
The program surpassed its 2023 profits by $28. The fundraiser ran from Sept. 27 to Nov. 3, with cookies available for pick up on Nov. 15.
This year, the fundraiser included two new additional baked goods: handmade cookie gift boxes featuring both fall and winter designs. Besides these new additions, SMB sold the usual variety of cookie dough flavors and cheesecake.
Parents and faculty are not the only ones who have noticed how the annual fundraiser can bring the community together.
“I think sharing cookies in our community makes this fundraiser really special. And all the teachers really look forward to cookie sales,” said junior cellist Katherine Zeng, who has been taking part in the fundraiser since middle school.
Chow complimented the exceptional volunteers who put this event together each year: “It is an honor for me to be a part of this music family,” she said. “Where else will I be able to work with a wonderful group of parent volunteers at this scale?”
