It’s Saturday morning. You just got up, and your mom asks you to run down to Wal-Mart for a couple of things. You get out of your car and walk up to the door with every intention of simply getting in and getting out. Suddenly, you’re stopped. “Would you like to donate to (insert foundation or group here)?” Most people would refer to this as an inconvenience: Freedom calls it tagging. We’ve all been halted by someone outside of a store somewhere, usually supercenters, asking for a couple bucks or some lose change. Of course, it’s always to benefit something: Salvation Army, Make a Wish, your town’s local baseball team, or your school’s musical. And most of us probably just keep on walking. However, tagging makes up quite a large part of the fundraising here at Freedom. Just ask almost any group that’s used it as a way to make some quick money how much success it has brought them in the past. Sure, shoppers are more than likely painfully annoyed (or at least mildly irked) when we stick out our buckets, paste on a smile and politely ask if they would be interested in sparing a few cents for a good cause. Nonetheless, all of that borderline begging certainly pays off. Countless Freedom activities alone indicate that tagging is a highly effective method of fundraising. It could be the difference between new uniforms for the cheerleaders versus wearing the same ones they had for the past 10 years. It could mean new equipment for the football team, more play books for the musical, or more supplies for the art club. There are certainly people out there that are willing to contribute a buck or two if it means helping out some kids from their area. Family friend or complete stranger, people do like to lend a hand to others on occasion. The world’s not all bad; asking for money that benefits a function or group that holds headquarters in the area is actually quite an efficient technique. If you’re running out of ideas to attract passersby, try bringing something new to the table and really putting yourself out there a little more. Take whatever you may be raising money for as motivation: cheerleading? Perform parts of your halftime dance for the passing crowd of shoppers. Musical? Sing a number or two from the show. The key factors that one must remember whilst tagging are thus: not everyone will decide to be generous, and that’s okay. Accept momentary defeat and move on to the next possible donator. The public reacts well to big smiles and over-the-top friendliness: the sweeter you are, the more money you’ll make. Lastly, if you’re really in need of some funds, bring along a kid. The cuteness factor gets them every time.