Supports Schools While You Shop: Box Tops for Education Marketplace

Somehow I blinked and, although it only seems like last week that I was dropping Big Sister E off for her very first day of kindergarten, the school year is over already.

Can someone please tell me the secret to not freaking out over how quickly my kids are growing up? How can my baby gain so much maturity over the course of only eight months?

It is extremely easy to look back on all of the ways that 2012-2013 was a successful year, as Big Sister E loved kindergarten, she learned far more than I ever would have thought possible, and I was able to volunteer every week as well as attend field trips, help at school carnivals, and more.

On top of all that? I also was proud that I managed to collect a large stash of Box Tops for Education so that I could participate in the nation's largest school fundraising program and earn cash for her school!

A General Mills program, Box Tops for Education began as an experiment on boxes of Cheerios in California with first year earnings of $1 million. Since then, it has grown to include more than 240 participating brands providing needed cash for 90,000 enrolled K-8 schools.

Box Tops for Education has now earned more than $525 million for schools since the program started in 1996 and, while most people recognize the Box Tops for Education symbols on many of the products that we commonly purchase, did you know that Box Tops also offers easy ways to earn even more cash for schools online?

That's right, although students won't be back in class until this fall, you can still earn money for your child's school through Box Tops for Education's online shopping resource, Marketplace.

Instead of clipping Box Tops and sending them in to your school, eBoxTops are awarded electronically to your school earnings at btfe.com and will be included in your school's next Box Tops check amount.

eBoxTops, like physical Box Tops, are worth 10¢ each for your school and can be earned from any of the nearly 400 online eBoxTops retailers at the Box Tops Marketplace. Simply join (using your zip code and school name), shop and earn!

Although I sometimes feel as though the selection of stores to choose from on online sites can be a little slim, Marketplace includes just about all of the ones that you're most likely shopping at anyway... so why not earn money for a school at the same time??

Remember, there are hundreds more as well!

The Marketplace, with major retailers like Toys R Us, Wal-Mart and Macy's, and specialty shops like Oriental Trading Company, Build A Bear Workshop and Young Explorers, provides something for everyone's shopping wants and needs. Just sign up to designate a school that will automatically receive eBoxTops as part of your online shopping experience!

So, whether you are stocking up on play clothes from Old Navy, outdoor games from Sports Authority or just about anything and everything from Target, simply head to btfe.com first and your exact same purchase will also be helping a great cause!

If you aren't already collecting Box Tops for Education (both off of products and from the Marketplace), now is the perfect time to start! Whether you have children attending one of the participating locations or not, schools can never have too much money to improve their classrooms, programs and more!

To learn more about Box Tops, Marketplace, and for a list of participating products, schools and retailers, visit www.btfe.com and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

I was provided a gift card from General Mills Marketing Inc. for the purpose of shopping at the Box Tops for Education Marketplace, however, all thoughts and opinions are entirely honest and my own.