When I go into a store, I ask for the manager or owner. I introduce myself as a member of the school's PTA and jokingly say I am here to beg for our annual donation. Realize this, in our school district we have 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 1 high school. All the schools do the same fundraising (and that does not include the football, soccer, baseball, churches, synagogues etc etc). So the merchants in our area are always being hit up for donations. Yes, some do get tired of it. Others realize that its good public relations for them, showing that they are supporting the schools (despite the obscene amount of taxes we pay).
No dear but I am seeing a little of me in your post and got the same advise from my OBGYN when I was pregnant and organizing donations! So we went to see Scooby Doo!
ranroo, that's great you can do that but I'm in the Denver Metro area and letters and e-mails are the best way. Unless you know the person/manager personnaly then a handshake is great.
Now, if I had a Heidi Klum or Tyra Banks in my membership or even an Enrique Iglesias, I might be able to walk into a store! But, how do you "break the ice" especially when I would probably be doing this by myself? I mean, I'm a sociable person but don't personally believe people should be caught "off guard". Maybe I should hire some young whippersnappers to handle it for me!
Not always. Sometimes it's a matter of hoping they had a good year and can spare to donate a $50 item etc. One year, like you, I sent out 60+ letters with great responce. The next year you thought I had said something bad or offened these merchanse! Nothing! Oh I could have just dug a hole and hidden! Now someone suggested to me once to go to the CHamber of Commerce to see about (trying to remember what I did) businesses that could support our school event ect. I even went to my service group I am a member of and many of the insurance agents were more than happy to help.
I don't know what your letter looks like but Ihave also learned to keep it short and to the point. The last thing I mention is the hardship or lack of funding our school recieves but how they can help improve this program or help with funding our scholarship program. That has made a huge difference when asking for auction items for our County 4-H Benifit Dinner. Yes, it helps sometimes to address the letter to a specific person. You haven't done anything "wrong" sometimes you just have to think outside the box.
My best advise right now....set this aside for a bit and go play with the kids or watch a movie. You need a break before you go crazy!
But, how do you "break the ice" especially when I would probably be doing this by myself? I mean, I'm a sociable person but don't personally believe people should be caught "off guard". Maybe I should hire some young whippersnappers to handle it for me! 
