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 $80,000 - $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, our alumni network and volunteers. Participation and force multiplication are critical. Together, we are stronger.
Throughout the year, the Forest Hills Central High School Crew Boosters organize several different fundraising activities to support our team. They are listed below. You can help support the team by participating in our fundraising initiatives!
Rowathon
Our first annual Head of the Bottom Rowathon, held on November 7, 2021, was a fabulous success! Six FHC Rowing teams competed on rowing machines to “virtually” row the Grand River from Hillsdale County to Ada.
Not only did we smash our distance goal (combined our rowers totaled over 441,000 meters versus our 350,000-meter goal), but our fundraising totals generated far more than we anticipated. Donations came from alumni, friends, family, and partners both locally and nationally. We even received international donations! Over 250 contributors helped make our first Rowathon a success!
See photos from the event here.
Look for our second annual Head of the Bottom Rowathon in the Fall of 2022. The competition will be fierce, and we’ll need participation from everyone to beat our inaugural Rowathon results!
FHC Crew Christmas Tree Recycling Service Project
In conjunction with the Ada Township Parks Department, the FHC Crew Team just completed its ninth year of picking up and recycling Christmas trees to raise money to support the team.
See photos from the event here.
Please plan on supporting the FHC Crew team next year by making your reservation online.
Silent Auction and Celebration
The FHC Crew Boosters organizes a Biannual Silent Auction and Celebration. Our 2022 event, held on February 4th, 2022, was attended by over 119 crew parents, grandparents, coaches and friends of FHC Rowing. The event was appropriately themed “The Water is Calling and We Must Row!”
Our rowing family had a wonderful evening celebrating and raising funds for FHC Crew with a silent and live auction dinner. We made new friends, ate wonderful food, took photos with the FHC Ranger mascot, enjoyed fun extras like a wine pull and raffle games, and bid on over 100 donated auction items. A new online auction software program not only enhanced the event, but allowed participants to bid online from the comfort of their homes.
Keynote speakers were Noah Messner, former FHC Novice Coach, Syracuse Rowing and FHC alumnus, and Megan Stirrat, US Rowing Academic All American and MSU Rowing alumna. Our two highly accomplished guests, as well as our very own Coach Pete Ross, had the crowd laughing, crying and inspired to contribute to our kid’s spring season.
Because of the strong support of our crew family and friends —old, new, near and far —our Silent Auction and Celebration was a success!
See photos from the event here.
Look for information on our 2024 auction later this year.
Restaurant Nights
Typically held at Noodles & Company, the FHC Crew Team receives a percentage of all sales for one evening at the restaurant. Watch for announcements via email and plan to join us for FHC Crew Team Restaurant Nights!
Have a Fundaising Idea?
If you have a fundraising idea or suggestion for the FHC Crew Team, please contact Joel Fauson, FHC Crew Boosters Chair for Fundraising:
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Phone: 616.607.4760 (preferred)
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Email: fausonj@gmail.com with “fundraising” in the subject line