Well, it turns out my hearing was spot-on: the district director did mention $10,000. I received an email response from her last night, and she expressed interest in setting up a contract for any site to use my program, for up to $10,000. Beyond that amount, she mentioned the need to go out to bid.
In her email, she also had some questions about the pricing difference between $10 and $20 per child. I promptly answered her queries and now eagerly await her response.
Initially, I had planned to reach out to other districts today, but considering the potential workload involved with this many programs, I've decided to wait and see what the district program is specifically looking for. I don't want to overextend myself.
While I wait, I indulged in a little shopping spree. After all, who doesn't enjoy a bit of retail therapy? One thing I knew for sure was that I didn't want to use disposable plastic table covers for all of these upcoming events. Providing enough covers for each event would be costly, and children tend to tear them up, rendering them unfit for reuse. Besides, I couldn't shake off the guilt of contributing so much plastic waste to our landfills.
For my craft clubs, I opted for sturdy vinyl table covers lined with flannel. They have proven to be durable, and reusable, and have withstood countless uses. Admittedly, they show signs of love, but I prefer to think of them as works of art themselves. Although they can't be washed, a simple spray and wipe-down after each use keeps them clean. I decided to find a similar solution for my summer camps.
I started my search on Amazon, where I came across some cute options. However, the prices were exorbitant, ranging from $24 and above per cover. I eventually found some cheaper ones under $10, but they lacked the vibrant colors that would bring life to kid-focused events. Moreover, the seller restricted purchases to a maximum of five covers. Why is it so difficult to find solid, brightly colored table covers?
Undeterred, I turned to Walmart, only to find that they offered nothing below $12.
As luck would have it, I discovered a particular pattern I liked on Amazon, so I Googled the company behind it to see if I could find a better deal. This led me to various party supply stores, where I continued my search. Finally, on a website for a Utah-based supply store called Zurchers.com, I stumbled upon exactly what I was looking for: bright, vivid, solid-colored table covers priced at just over $5 each. To sweeten the deal, they offered free shipping for orders over $99.
Additionally, I managed to save an extra $12 with a coupon code found through the Honey app. By the end, I had ordered 21 covers, ensuring I had backups in case some got dirty, and I chose three covers in each color: red, orange, yellow, lime, turquoise, purple, and hot pink. The total for my purchase came to $112.45. I'm optimistic that these covers will last throughout all my events this year, and I'm relieved that I won't be contributing to excessive plastic waste in landfills.
P.S. I must admit, waiting is not my strong suit. I can't help but wonder how long she will keep me in suspense before responding.
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