It takes a lot of money to run a band program. Entrance fees, traveling expenses, music, instrument repair, new equipment, props, clothing, software, website development, reeds, mouthpieces, cleaning supplies, music stands, drum sticks, and much more all add to the expense of the program. Unfortunately, our school is unable to supply the money for some of these expenses, and that is where you come in.
Each year we have four major fund raisers.
Scrip: This is our gift card program, and it is ongoing through the year. On Friday, students can bring an order form home, where you can order gift cards to use at home. We get them at a slight discount and keep the difference. You use them to purchase groceries, gas, and nore-- things you would already be purchasing anyway.
Popcorn: In the spring, we will be selling wonderful flavored popcorn.
Booster Dinner: Somewhere in January or February the band boosters will be hosting a dinner at a HS basketball game.
Cheese and Sausage: Selling much more than just cheese and sausage, each year in September we sell all kinds of chocolates, cheese, and sausage.
Our Cheese and Sausage sale each year is our largest fund raiser, usually raising between $7,000 and $9,000 for our program, or about 40% of our budget. This year the sale will begin on Thursday, September 7th. In the past, we have averaged selling approximately 11 items per student in the entire band program, and we will need to accomplish similar numbers this fall.
As in previous years, a variety of prizes will be available to students who sell items, including those famous five pound bags of gummi bears!
All students and parents: If you do not wish to participate but still want to do your part, you are welcome to simply donate to the program. Last year the average profit per student from the fund raiser was approximately $60.
Thank you-- without this support, our program could not exist for your child. Look for those order forms next week!