Wednesday, September 24, 2003
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Wednesday, September 24, 2003 |
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Band to hold dinner/silent auction Oct. 4 Community generous in its support for Chicago trip Whether it is with chicken sandwiches, diamonds, or cash, the Rising Starr Middle School Symphonic Band is finding local folks ready and willing to support the band’s trip to Chicago in December, where it will perform at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. “Local businesses such as Mucklow’s Fine Jewelry and Chick-Fil-A of Peachtree City are making a difference to these young musicians while at the same time supporting Þne arts in Fayette County,” said Lisa Splitlog, who is co-chairing the fund-raising with Michelle Norton. Other major donors include World Airways, courtesy of Chief Executive Officer Hollis Harris, Peachtree National Bank, the Peachtree City Rotary Club, and the Rising Starr Middle School PTO, she said. For example, Chick-fil-A of Peachtree City donated $2 sandwich coupons valued at more than $3,000, offering 100 percent of the proceeds to the band. Fundraisers at the newly opened Mucklow’s jewelry store featured a reception and a drawing for merchandise. The next major fundraiser will be a dinner/silent auction - with barbecue from Du Roc Cafe - from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Rising Starr Middle School. “We’re getting great community support for this event,” said Anne Myers, who is collecting donations for the auction. “Local businesses are being most generous,” she said. Items to bid on include gift baskets, restaurant and spa gift certiÞcates, jewelry, a guitar, and a giant stuffed Chick-Fil-A cow. For tickets or to donate an item, please call Myers at 770-486-6813. The band — composed of more than 80 seventh- and eighth-graders — has raised more than $11,000, and hopes to raise $65,000. It’s not just the big donors who are making a difference, said Mrs. Splitlog. Those who have jumped on the Chicago-bound bandwagon include mom-and-pop businesses, several dentists and orthodontists, and a construction company. The band has also held several car washes to raise money for the event, and residents of the Morallion Hills subdivision are holding a garage sale Oct. 4, with some of the proÞts going to the band. Even Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown has urged people to donate money to the band via his monthly newsletter distributed by mail to local residents. The Midwest Clinic, in its 57th year, attracts 12,000 musicians, including students, teachers, and professionals, from around the world. Band director Steven Tyndall is working hard to prepare the students for their performance. “This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime,” Tyndall said.
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