Duncan and Cache bring back mattress fundraisers

Southwest Oklahomans can rest easy after purchasing a mattress from Duncan and Cache’s Middle and High School.

That’s because the proceeds go to the students.

Duncan Middle and High School are having its 12th annual Mattress Fundraiser from 10 a.m to 5 p.m Jan. 25 at Duncan Middle School, 1601 Chisholm Trail Pkwy in Duncan. The day after, Cache Middle and High School are also having its 2nd annual Mattress Fundraiser at the same time at Cache 5th and 6th Center, 502 W. H Ave.

Typically, the schools set up a specific location the day of the sale, with students and families getting the word out beforehand, Jeramy Haas, Duncan band director said.

Employees from Custom Fundraising Solutions act as sales representatives to show the many options and sizes of beds in stock. After the sale, the mattress is custom made to the customer’s liking and delivered right to them within two to three weeks. It’s a mobile version similar to an ordinary mattress store such as Mattress Firm or Mattress King.

“It’s a very unique fundraiser that you don’t see very often,” Haas said. “It’s not like selling cookies or candy bars or whatever.”

“A lot of people sell candy bars and stuff like that, but it takes about 12,000 candy bars to make $5,000,” Matt Gilland, Cache Girls Soccer Coach said. “It’s a lot of selling candy bars, it’s multiple days, weeks at a time. Mattresses are something that everybody needs. They say that 10 percent of the population buys a mattress every year.”

All proceeds go directly to the Duncan band boosters, while Cache’s proceeds go towards their middle and high school soccer teams.

“All the band booster’s proceeds go right back to the students,” Haas said. “A lot of times, that money is for meals when we go to our special rehearsals for our middle school kids. We also use it for scholarships to various band camps that are held in the summer. In the past, they’ve bought instruments with it. They’ve helped us with transportation costs. It’s a lot of different things that the money will go back toward.”

Depending on the size of the mattress, Duncan will get a percentage of the sale.

“Say for instance, somebody might buy a twin size mattress that might be $300,” Haas said. “We might get 30 to 40 percent of that cost back.”

Cache’s sales are different.

“Thirty mattresses will make right at $5,000 just off the mattresses,” Gilland said. “We get money off of the pillows and sheets as well. That’s kind of why I’ve done it.”

Duncan plans to sell 40 mattresses on Saturday, while Cache sets its goal at 30.

Mattresses range from Twin to California King, and from less expensive to luxury priced. They offer brands such as Beautyrest, Purple and Serta. They even sell pillows, adjustable bases and bed sheets. They take card, cash, check and have payment plans.