Join Our Winter Virtual Trivia Fundraiser!

Hey there! We're so excited to share something special with you that's going to be a blast while making a real difference for our students. Mark your calendars for December 3rd, 2025, at 4 PM MST because we're hosting our very first Winter Virtual Trivia Fundraiser, and we'd love to have you join us!

I know what you might be thinking, another fundraiser? But hear me out. This isn't your typical bake sale or car wash. We're talking about cozy winter evening fun from the comfort of your own home, testing your knowledge with a fun pop-culture-and-sports twist—think 21st-century TV shows and big game moments—plus a few surprises from history, all while supporting something that truly matters to our kids.

Why This Fundraiser Matters to Our Students

Let's get real for a moment. One of the things that breaks my heart as an educator is when financial or transportation barriers prevent our students from experiencing those magical field trip moments. You know the ones, standing in front of the Liberty Bell, exploring a science museum hands-on, or seeing a live theater performance that brings literature to life.

Our goal is to raise $1,500 to help more of our students participate in these incredible learning experiences. Every dollar we raise goes directly toward covering costs for families who might otherwise have to say "maybe next time" when field trip permission slips come home. Because honestly, learning shouldn't have limits based on a family's budget.

These field trips aren't just fun outings (though they definitely are that!). There are moments when education comes alive, when a student who struggles with reading suddenly gets excited about history because they touched a Civil War artifact, or when a shy kid finds their voice during a group museum scavenger hunt.

How Our Winter Trivia Night Works

Here's where the fun begins! Our virtual trivia night is designed to be inclusive and accessible for everyone. Whether you're a trivia champion who knows every state capital or someone who wants to laugh with friends while probably getting half the answers wrong (no judgment here!), this event is for you.

Participation Options:

• Flying Solo: Register as an individual and we'll either match you with other solo participants or you can enjoy the challenge on your own

• Team Up: Gather your crew! Teams can have up to five people, but here's the catch, everyone on your team needs to be in the same location. Think family game night vibes or friends gathered around someone's kitchen table with snacks and hot chocolate.

The beauty of virtual events is that distance doesn't matter. Got family in another state who wants to participate? They can join their own team from their location while you cheer each other on in the chat!

The Fundraising Competition That Makes It Even More Exciting

Now here's where things get really interesting. When you register, you're not just signing up for trivia, you're entering a friendly fundraising competition that runs until 8 AM on December 3rd (just hours before our event starts).

Here's how it works:

1. Register for the event at https://givebutter.com/wintervirtual

2. Share your personalized fundraising link with friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone who might want to support our students.

3. The individual or team that raises the most funds by 8 AM on December 3rd wins a special advantage during trivia night.

   
   

What kind of advantage? We're keeping that as a fun surprise, but trust me, it's something that could give you a real edge in the competition while still keeping things fair and enjoyable for everyone.

Easy Ways to Boost Your Fundraising

Don't stress about the fundraising part, we've got some simple strategies that work:

Share Your Story: Tell people why you're participating. Maybe it's because you want to support students who remind you of yourself at that age, or because you believe every kid deserves amazing learning experiences.

Social Media Magic: Post about the event on your Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms. A simple "Hey friends, I'm doing trivia for a great cause, want to help some students go on field trips?" works wonders.

Workplace Outreach: Ask if you can send an email to coworkers or if your company might be interested in sponsoring your participation.

Family and Friends: Sometimes, the people closest to us are the most willing to help. Don't be shy about reaching out to your circle.

What to Expect on Trivia Night

Picture this: It's December 3rd, you've got your favorite winter beverage in hand, your team is gathered (or you're cozy solo with your laptop), and we're all connected virtually for an evening of brain-teasing fun.

Our trivia will cover a wide range of topics because we want everyone to have moments where they shine. This year, we're spotlighting 21st-century TV shows and sports—perfect for binge-watchers and sports fans.

The format is designed to be engaging and interactive, with multiple rounds that keep the energy up throughout the evening. And don't worry, we'll have breaks between rounds for snack refills and friendly trash talk in the chat!

Building Community While Supporting Our Students

One of the things I love most about events like this is how they bring our Encourage Online Academy community together in new ways. In our day-to-day virtual learning environment, we focus so much on academics (as we should!), but evenings like this let us see different sides of each other.

Maybe you'll discover that the quiet student's parent is a movie trivia master, or that the mom who always has thoughtful questions during parent meetings also happens to know every '90s song within the first three notes. These connections strengthen our entire school community.

Plus, your participation sends a powerful message to our students: that their educational experiences matter to more people than just their immediate family. When kids see adults in their community coming together to support their learning opportunities, it reinforces just how valuable their education truly is.

Getting Started Is Simple

Ready to join us? Here's exactly what you need to do:

1. Visit our fundraising page: Head over to https://givebutter.com/wintervirtual

2. Register: Choose whether you're participating solo or as a team.

3. Start fundraising: Share your link and watch the support roll in.

4. Mark your calendar: December 3rd, 4 PM MST, don't forget!

5. Get ready to have fun: Gather your snacks, charge your devices, and prepare for an evening of laughter and learning.

After you register, you'll receive confirmation details and everything you need to access the event. We'll also send reminders as we get closer to the date because we want to make sure everyone who wants to participate gets the chance.

Every Dollar Makes a Difference

For those who can contribute or help spread the word, we're deeply grateful. Whether someone donates $5 or $50, whether you share the link once or ten times, every action helps us get closer to that $1,500 goal.

And remember, this isn't just about money: it's about showing our students that their community believes in the power of experiential learning, that we think field trips and hands-on education are worth investing in, and that we're willing to have some fun while making it happen.

Let's Make This Winter Memorable

There's something magical about coming together during the winter months, especially when we're supporting something as crucial as our students' educational experiences. Virtual events have taught us that distance doesn't diminish connection: if anything, the intentionality required to join together online can make these moments even more special.

So whether you're a trivia lover looking for your next challenge, a parent wanting to support the school community, or someone who enjoys a good cause paired with good company, we hope you'll join us on December 3rd.

Visit https://givebutter.com/wintervirtual to register today, and let's make this winter fundraiser one to remember. Together, we can ensure that financial barriers never stand between our students and the fantastic learning adventures that await them.

Here's to community, learning, and maybe discovering you know way more random facts than you ever realized. See you on December 3rd!