From staffing concession stands to selling mattresses, OCHS band parents help keep costs down
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Susan Flores (from left), Jeanne Jones, Monica Patrick and Faith Dynarski-Hughes prepare the food for the Oglethorpe County High School marching band's pancake breakfast fundraiser last month. The band’s booster club holds fundraisers throughout the year to help with the costs of instruments, uniforms and other items. (Submitted Photo) -
The Oglethorpe County marching band supports the football team during a game this fall. The band’s booster club holds fundraising events throughout the year to help with the costs associated with the program. (CJ Bartunek/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Members of the Oglethorpe County High School marching band’s booster club spend a lot of time at the rec department. They don’t get to see much of the action because they’re manning the concession stands.
The money earned there is just one part of the booster club’s fundraising efforts.
Almost every dollar put toward the program is raised by the booster club — 32 parents and volunteers who devote their time to fundraising for the program. The four board members are: Cynthia Bryant (president), Susan Flores (vice president), Carmen Eller (treasurer) and Lisa Thomas (secretary).
“Marching band teaches them so much more than just music,” band booster and mom Monica Patrick said. “It teaches them perseverance, how to get along with people, how to work as a unit and patience.”
Last year, the band boosters raised $12,000 from concessions alone, and were able to buy a new golf cart. In addition, the program received a $5,000 grant from the Rayle EMC, which was used for new color guard uniforms, batons and other equipment.
The funds are needed because marching band is typically an expensive program. In an effort to keep costs low for parents, the program relies heavily on donations, sponsorships, grants and fundraising.
Those are critical for students who can’t afford the program and need scholarships.
The numbers were not as high as they hoped at the pancake breakfast on Dec. 16 at Lexington Baptist Church. Supplies were bought and prepared for 100 to 200 plates, but only 32 were sold at $10 a plate.
Patrick is in charge of the Tidal Wave Car Wash fundraiser, where ticket vouchers are sold at $10, for what would normally be a $21 purchase. The sponsorship will continue throughout the year and half of the proceeds go to the marching band.
Fundraising events and sponsorships like these run all year long in an effort to raise money for the students. Last year, the booster club sold mattresses as a fundraising effort.
Club treasurer Carmen Eller said the band has to buy all of its equipment, including instruments and uniforms, and it must pay to enter competitions, such as the large group performance evaluation each year. The funds also go toward scholarships, meals, and last year, props.
The fundraising is bolstered by sponsorships from local businesses, and she encourages more businesses to support the band’s effort to raise money.
Eller said it sends a strong message to the students in the band and throughout the community.
“We are very appreciative of it,” she said. “Whenever the band families know that these companies are sponsoring them, it really creates a sense that these companies care about the kids.”