SC School Fundraising Isn’t Limited to Cookie Dough, Anymore.

Childhood obesity is a national epidemic, and if you’re a parent of school-aged children, you see school fundraisers selling everything from cookie dough to popcorn…not exactly the message parents want to see when we keep saying that children and adults need to get in better shape.

A Columbia, South Carolina parent named Ken Carey has decided to do something about it through a new concept called LocalHappiness.net.

Local Happiness sells South Carolina-sourced items designed to both support Palmetto State businesses and to offer an alternative to school fundraising activities that encourage unhealthy habits among students and their families.

“Ours is the first and only fundraiser in South Carolina to partner with the best our state has to offer. We carry more than 100 SC-made products and are always looking for more,” according to Carey, adding that Local Happiness offers music, books, artisan-made toys and gifts, and a number of healthy food products that include gluten free, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial sweeteners, no preservatives, and even options  for those with severe allergies.

With programs designed for elementary, middle, and high schools, Carey says Local Happiness can customize catalogs and kits to include a school’s local business partners and a school’s spirit wear or promotional items.

According to Carey, Local Happiness products allow participating schools to charge near retail prices and keep more of their dollars than out-of-state fundraisers charge for programs – with every dollar staying in South Carolina.

“We want to work with schools to help them meet their fundraising goals while engaging local entrepreneurs, and honoring a sustainable lifestyle,” Carey added.