Parents & Friends,

South County Crew has rapidly become a winning team, taking two golds in the state last year.  

The Crew Board and Committees are so excited about these accomplishments and believe these next few years provide a tremendous opportunity to build upon last year's season of excellence, hopefully as the start of a legacy of excellence. To compete at the State and National levels, we need great athletes and great coaches -- both of which we have -- but also great equipment.   Some of our equipment requires upgrading or replacement and our capital equipment replacement plan requires replacing one or two boats every year.    Fundraising is an integral part of South County Crew, as it has been from the start.  We are a club sport, and an expensive one, and do not receive any school/county funds. 

The Board attempts to balance registration fees and fundraising.  Higher registration fees reduce the number of talented athletes joining the team while fundraising requires time and organization.  In lieu of raising registration fees (they are holding steady for three years in a row), the crew board has set a $1000 / $400 split between registration and fundraising for each crew member, and adopted a steady strain fundraising program with an opt-out option so families have lots of options.  The organized fundraising allows us to keep registration fees as low as possible and also provides crew members an opportunity to offset some of those fees through individual fundraising.  

The fundraising program was designed to provide advanced notice of fundraising events for the whole year, fair commitment and division of labor, events that the crew members (instead of the parents) could participate in, and variety.  The individual fund raisers are to assist crew members in their personal fundraising and participation is up to the individual family.  The opt out option for the five mandatory, high-yield fundraising events has been developed to provide all crew members with options to balance individual family schedules.  Crew members can miss one of the five mandatory fundraising but must either participate in or take the opt out option for any others.  Here's a quick summary of the crew team fundraising effort:

- Mandatory Team Fundraising Events [or “OPT-OUT”].  There are five mandatory events -- these only take a few hours each and are not intrusive.  One event can be missed due to a legitimate schedule conflict at no cost.  Missing any of the remaining four requires a $50 payment EACH.  

 The five mandatory fundraising events are:

1. Car Wash

2. Pasta Sales

3. Leaf Raking

4. Wreaths Across America

5. Raffle

- Mandatory Sponsor Letter Campaign (or opt out for $200).  It is highly recommended that crew members participate.  If you or your athlete have not been in a sponsor letter campaign, it raises the most money for the least effort.  Sign the letter provided by the program and send to friends and families, especially those living out of town.  Sign and send -- easy.

- All other fundraisers are optional and provided to enhance individual accounts.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to join us at a Board meeting.  We've had many open board meetings in the last 6 months and everyone's input is always welcome. So, please come and support our board.

 The above message is from the entire South County Crew Board

Click here for a list of the 2012-2013 Fundraising Activities

We are very excited as we start this new year. The fundraising program has been designed for a steady effort throughout the year and if you wish to volunteer to help, please e-mail Kristen Druggan at

or call her at 703.646.5764.

 Thank You & GO STALLION CREW!

Kristen Druggan

Fundraising Chair

Fundraising and Family/Rower Commitments:

The SC Crew Club is a Varsity club sport sanctioned by South County Secondary School and the Virginia Area Scholastic Rowing Association. The SC Crew Club is also a 501C – Non-profit VA Corporation.  This allows the Club to raise money for operations without being penalized by excessive tax obligations.

PURPOSE OF FUNDRAISING:  The dues requirements set for each rower family of $1000 helps us maintain a financially healthy organization and promote its legacy for current and future years, but the rower fees alone do not meet our annual expenses so fundraising is a necessity.  The Club must raise money to supplement the membership dues collected from each member in order to meet the SC Crew operating budget and to maintain an acceptable membership fee that is within reach of our families.  Without fundraising, dues alone would have to cover all expenses; an unacceptable financial burden for most students and their families.  To accomplish a successful fundraising effort, the participation of all rowers and their families is vital.  The Crew Booster Board works hard to provide a variety of activities throughout the year to enable rowers, with assistance from their families, plenty of opportunities to meet and exceed fundraising requirements.  Extra funds will allow us to purchase new equipment and offset travel expenses.

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES: to help offset the cost of dues:  Opportunities are provided to raise money to help offset individual dues.  SCRIP purchases, Mickman's Holiday Wreath Sale, Corbi’s Pizza Sales, Coins for Crew are four ways a rower can earn money to help pay off his/her dues. 

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES: to help SC Crew grow as a team and that count toward service hour commitments: Various events that the SC Crew Club sponsors throughout the year provide an opportunity to meet the Service hour commitments in addition to raising money for the Club’s general expenses and developing the Club Capital Fund for future expenditures.

TEAM FUNDRAISERS:  these events / opportunities raise money that is applied to the Club’s general expenses.  Examples of team fundraising opportunities are:

         - Stadium Chair Sales

         - Corporate Sponsorship Campaign

         - Team Car Washes

         - Wreaths Across America

         - Pasta Sale

         - Donation Letter Campaign

         - Leaf Raking

         - T-shirt Sales

         - Combined Federal Campaign

         - Bake Sales

         - Raffles (these may only be done with parent assistance as rowers are not permitted to organize or  run raffles)

The 2012-2013 South County Crew Fundraising Program:

SCRIP (All Year):  Ongoing throughout the year. This offers an opportunity to reduce personal dues.  All credits from SCRIP will be posted directly to the individual rower’s account.

SCRIP in a nutshell:  You purchase the SCRIP (looks like a Gift Card) at face value and the retailers give you a rebate (based on the amount of scrip your purchase and from which retailer).  The total rebate is credited to your individual SC Crew financial obligation.  You can purchase scrip for yourself, family members, or friends.  Orders for SCRIP are placed monthly, contact Deb Vitus, below for dates.

To purchase scrip, simply (click on the links below):

1. Look over an up-to-date list of retailers that are currently
   participating in the scrip program. Select which scrip you’d like to
   purchase.

2. Fill out the SCRIP order form with the type and value of scrip
     that you wish to purchase.

3. Write a check for the amount you are purchasing. Make the check
     out to SC Crew.

4. Scrip orders are due to Debra Vitus by COB on the last Friday of
     the month for delivery in the first week of the new
     month.  Orders can be given to Debra Vitus or mailed to her
     home at 6017 Chapman Road, Lorton, VA 22079.  If orders are
     mailed, please send an email notification
     to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 5. When the SCRIP arrives an E-mail will be sent out and you can
     pick the scrip up.

Please contact Deb Vitus for a SCRIPT enrollment form or if you have questions about SCRIP 

Stadium Chairs (All Year): Please Contact Laura Hayes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to place an order for your stadium chair with South County horse logo printed on the back.

               - Standard Chair   $55

               - Wide Chair           $65

Car Washes (JUL/AUG/SEP):  These are usually held in the summer months of July, August and perhaps September at a local gas station.  They are great team-builders and keep the rowers connected in the off-season.

Pasta Sale (SEP):  Fun Pasta Fundraising Sales begin in September, both online and ask friends and family. Our first year of involvement with the Pasta Sale was 2010.  It was a great success! Visit the website for more information, www.funpastafundraising.com

Mickman Wreath Sale (SEP-OCT): This is one of the most popular fundraisers for South County Crew as it nets your rower $10.00 per item sold directly into their crew account. Below are the instructions for selling, should your rower wish to participate.

HOLIDAY FUNDAISER BROCHURE.

           On the cover, place the name “South County Crew” in th  bottomline.Insidethe brochure, write down the prices (don’t forget the back page that has the 6 Holiday Gifts for mail order purchases). Prices are as follows (these prices are different from brochure prices):

     Regular Brochure Items:

              - 25 inch Classic Wreath                         $25.00

             - 25 inch Victorian Wreath                     $28.00

             - 25 inch Cranberry Splash Wreath      $29.00

              - Classic Spray                                             $21.50

              - Victorian Spray                                        $24.50

              - Cranberry Splash Spray                        $25.50

              - Candlelit Centerpiece                              $29.50

              - Living Tree                                                 $27.50

              - EZ Hanger                                                    $ 1.75

              - LED Light Set                                              $ 3.75

(WE ARE NOT SELLING GARLAND, which is listed on brochure.) 

Holiday Gift Products (Mail Order only)

       - Classic Wreath                                                  $34.00 

       - Victorian Holiday Gift Wreath                    $38.00

       - Wintergreen Holiday Gift Wreath              $39.50 

       - Cranberry Splash Holiday Gift Wreath     $39.00 

       - Candlelit Holiday Gift Centerpiece              $35.50 

       - Holiday Gift Living Tree                                 $35.00

2. Read fundraising and holiday gift order form. Each rower will have two mail order forms.

3.  Fill out sales envelope (i.e. the prices and delivery date) and familiarize yourself with what information is required from the purchaser. All entries need to be legible. (Delivery date will be between 11/19-21.)

4.  Sell between 9/24-10/24. All sales must be completed and all forms, including mail order forms, and money must be turned into Debra Vitus by COB Friday October 26^th. (Checks need to be made payable to South County Crew.)

 5. When the product arrives you will be notified of the pickup location and times. It is the seller’s responsibility to pick up the products timely and distribute them in a timely manner.

If you have any questions, or need more mail order forms, please contact: Debra Vitus at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Wreaths Across America (NOV): First introduced in 2010, it was a great fundraiser and received an enthusiastic response. This fundraiser is designed to collect money to help fund the organization that places wreaths on veterans’ graves at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries throughout the country every December.  The non-profit group donates a portion of the Wreaths Across America sales back to the organization that collects the funds.  It was a tremendous success our first year and we hope to continue it annually.  For more information, go to www.wreathacrossamerica.org, or contact Adale Tourtellott at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Leaf Raking Hand Out is here

Leaf Raking (NOV/DEC): This fundraiser is very important, since it raises money for equipment, coaches, boats, spring break training camp, etc., and helps keep your dues payments down.

Teams of four rowers and at least one adult will join forces in raking on November 17-18 and December 1-2. Rowers and parents are not responsible for finding customers but it is mandatory that all rowers rake during at least one session. Rowers have been given a Sign-Up Sheet during practice, but a copy is attached for your convenience. Also attached is a flyer that gives detailed information.

Rowers are expected to sign-up soon, so the teams can be organized in time for the weekend. The completed Sign-Up sheets can be dropped off in the trailer during practice.

If you would like to have your yard raked or you have neighbors who would like their yard raked, or have any questions, contact Shirley White at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Kristen Druggan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Bake Sales (SEP): Can be held throughout the season at any of a variety of events sponsored by SC Crew or other organizations.  All rowers are asked to donate baked goods wrapped in individual serving size baggies.

Corbi’s Pizza and Dessert Sale (OCT/FEB):  Individual Rowers take orders for pizza and dessert items. For more information please contact Debra Vitus at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fundraising T-shirt Sales (NOV/JUN):  Winter Conditioning t-shirts and End of the Year t-shirts will be available to order and profits will go toward the crew team’s fund. Please contact Shelley Bolt at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

iPad/Erg Raffle (FEB-MAR):  Raffle ticket sales begin in February and tickets will be due by March 9. Please contact Shirley White for more information at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Coins for Crew (All Year): This is an individual fundraiser and every penny – literally, every penny – your Crew Member collects gets credited to their individual account for the year. Small events like this one are easy, but critical building blocks in developing a solid crew program here at South County that develops award winning rowers and coxains.

Here’s how it works. Crew members will go on a household hunt for loose change to donate to the South County Crew program. Loose change and lost coins can easily be found during the household hunt in couches, drawers, cars, pockets, purses, and jackets. With your permission, Crew members may also approach friends, neighbors, and extended family for loose change donations. Please do not sort the coins! The change will be collected at Crew Conditioning on February 28th, 2013, in the attached plastic bag (please do not bring it in beforehand). Important: make sure your Crew Member’s full name is on their bag for credit! Please contact Joen Schultz for more information at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

             Corporate Sponsorship Drive and Donation Letter Campaign

            (All  Year):  Ongoing throughout the year.  This fundraiser

            is designed primarily to fund the Capital Fund account.  We ask

            that all Crew families provide any contact information that

            they might have for local businesses or corporations.

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