Shoe-Cleaning Emails: Clues in Context

Subject: Shoe-Cleaning Fundraiser Details

1From: Tamsin | To: Idris Our shoe-cleaning fundraiser could help defray the cost of the eighth-grade celebration. It probably will not pay the entire bill, but whatever we earn will reduce the amount students contribute. We can clean ordinary canvas sneakers in the school courtyard next Saturday. Before we advertise, though, we need a plan that promises only what our volunteers can deliver.

2I suggest a nominal fee of two dollars per pair, small enough that students can participate without spending much. Families could donate more if they choose. We should procure supplies by emailing families to ask for spare soft brushes and unopened cleaning cloths. The message should include a concrete request: list the exact items and quantities, rather than saying that any useful donation would be appreciated.

3We also need to stagger appointments. If everyone arrives at noon, volunteers will face a long line, so let's offer arrival times ten minutes apart. Please build a buffer into the schedule, too. Leaving one appointment slot empty each hour would give us extra time if a cleaning takes longer than expected. I attached a blank schedule for you to review tonight.

4From: Idris | To: Tamsin I like the idea, but our advertisement needs to qualify the promise that we can clean sneakers. We should add that we accept canvas shoes only and cannot guarantee removal of every stain. Those limits matter: someone reading “We clean sneakers” might bring an expensive pair made from material we have not practiced cleaning. Let's test our method on our own canvas shoes first.

5Your price seems reasonable. Our net earnings, however, will be less than the money we collect because we must subtract what we spend on supplies. Donated brushes would help. I would also exempt volunteers from paying for one pair of their own shoes; unlike other customers, they would receive that service without a charge. We should explain this rule before anyone signs up to work.

6One more issue: a time slot is not a volunteer assignment. The schedule shows when customers arrive, but it does not tell us who will handle payments or clean shoes. Please assign those jobs separately. I can draft the family email tonight. Could you check whether our request sounds courteous—respectful of families' choices, not as though we expect everyone to donate? Once we agree on the wording, we can send it to our adviser for approval.