Concerned Mom Enlists Movie Stars, World Leaders, and a Penguin to Improve School Fundraising

Concerned Mom Enlists Movie Stars, World Leaders, and a Penguin to Improve School Fundraising

New Fundraiser Offers a Healthier Alternative With Family-Friendly Entertainment Products

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the escalating need for fundraising, parents and students are growing weary of the selling and delivery process. Furthermore, schools and groups are facing problems with the products themselves. The sale of candy and other sweets is under fire nationally because of the concern about childhood obesity.

One parent is meeting this challenge by harnessing the drawing power of some of the world's most beloved celebrities to provide family-friendly entertainment products that help raise funds for schools and other non-profit groups.

Colleen Needles, a TV veteran and mother of three, knows from experience that it isn't always easy to find good movies for the family to watch together. She spent the last few years tracking down great DVDs and CDs for a broad family audience but she couldn't figure out the right way to get these programs to other families until the proverbial light bulb went on or in this case, the doorbell rang.

"A neighbor boy was selling candy and gift wrap to benefit his school. It suddenly clicked. Here was a way to give families better entertainment choices and help schools by leveraging this $42 billion (entertainment product) industry," Needles said.

In response, Needles launched The Family Entertainment Catalog, http://www.thefamilycatalog.com/ , a new fundraising model offering a range of family movies, historical and nature documentaries, fitness and learning aids, children's and teen programs, and an entire line of music. The selection includes products from Walt Disney, Sesame Street, and Warner Brothers, and networks such as Discovery, History Channel, A&E and PBS.

Schools keep up to 50%

A buyer can log on, make a purchase, and designate a school or non-profit to receive up to 50% of the proceeds, choosing from a database of more than 130,000 schools and organizations. A school of 400 can easily raise more than $15,000 in just a few weeks. Schools and non-profits continue to benefit from orders year-round, whether or not they're officially enrolled with The Family Entertainment Catalog. Products can be ordered through the catalog or online, and are shipped directly to the buyer, eliminating the hassle of delivery chores for parents, kids and teachers.

David Walsh agrees with programming choices

Needles' idea has attracted the support of Dr. David Walsh, founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family, and a trusted authority on the effects of media on children. "The Family Catalog is a wonderful resource that people can trust to find the best stories that engage, teach and inspire."

Parents like the concept

Sarah McNeal, a parent from Roseville, Minnesota, is appreciative of this new approach to fundraising. "I like the kind of products being offered, and anything that eliminates the need to sort and deliver a car full of stuff gets my vote."

Needles defines her company's criteria for family entertainment. "We look for high-quality programs that engage, entertain or inform, and they must be appropriate in theme, content, and language for a broad family audience. We clearly identify any movies that may contain mild situational language, violence or difficult issues so families can make the best choices." In addition, Needles emphasizes, "We have no political or religious agenda."

The Family Entertainment Catalog grew out of Needles' other business, Tremendous! Entertainment, a film, television and music production and distribution company. Since 1996, the award-winning broadcast journalist has built a portfolio of quality programming in all genres as well as associations with many of the world's leading networks and studios.

The Family Entertainment Catalog offices are located at 17113 Minnetonka Blvd., Suite 200, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55345 (952-258-0220).

Source: The Family Entertainment Catalog

CONTACT: Gail Shore, 952-925-6102, or gshore@winternet.com , or Ginger
Sisco, +1-763-544-0629, or ginger.sisco@tela.com or Patty Gibbs,
+1-651-653-7302, or pattygibbsco@aol.com

Web site: http://www.thefamilycatalog.com/

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