Hillsboro Middle School’s annual student fundraiser began Tuesday and will continue through Sept. 10. HMS secretary Pati Funk said the fundraisers were implemented several years ago to fund field trips instead of having parents pay for field trips.

The fundraisers, which involve sales of cookie dough, gifts, and cups, also pay for “memory books” — essentially soft-cover yearbooks — for the students. Other projects the fundraiser has helped with include replacement of locker room lockers, equipment for the school kitchen, and bringing speakers to the school.

The 2011 fundraiser generated about $7,000 for HMS Site Council, Funk said.

Even some of the most successful student-fundraisers don’t get excited about it, but they appreciate what it provides.

“I think it’s definitely worth it,” eighth-grader Paige Proffitt said Friday.

Proffitt said everybody waits until the last minute to start selling, and it doesn’t take a lot of time. She mostly sells to family members.

Eighth-grader Nathan Simhiser has been a top fundraiser as a sixth and seventh grader. He tries to sell to family members, his mother’s coworkers, and around Lehigh where he lives.

“In Lehigh everyone knows everyone,” Simhiser said.

Students raise funds by selling from catalogs for cookie dough and gifts. This year the fundraiser will also include sales of 32-ounce Hillsboro Trojans insulated cups.