The Morton High School band is off to a solid start in its campaign to raise $10,000 in order to open an endowment fund with the Morton Community Foundation to help fund some of the band’s future needs.
To get it all started, more than 25 students joined at JH Car Wash to raise money for the endowment fund June 22 afternoon following heavy rains could have made for a soggy fundraiser.
“The weather has been totally uncooperative. But, we ended up far exceeding our greatest expectations,” said Timm Geiger, president of the Morton High School band boosters.
Like the MHS cross country team, which held a similar fundraiser at JH Car Wash last year, the band is looking to start a fund that will accrue interest over the years. Grants from the endowment fund can then be distributed within the organization on an annual basis.
The band car wash raised more than $1,600 by the end of the day June 22. JH Car Wash matched up to $1,000, to make the fundraiser total $2,600.
The car wash was donation based, Geiger said. Those who showed for a car bath offered donations ranging from $5 to $100.
Along with matching up to $1,000, JH Car Wash also designated several washing areas for the fundraiser to take place.
“We’re 25 percent on our way to meeting that $10,000 objective,” Geiger said. “I wish to thank the community for all of their support, and most of all, JH Car Wash ... without them, this couldn’t have happened. What they have done is beyond words.”
Zach Carrillo, a junior saxophone player at MHS, said despite early rains, the day was not only successful, but fun.
“I had a blast,” Carrillo said. “Particularly spraying other people with the hose.”
Senior color guard member Alyssa Hoadley is just glad that doing this could potentially eliminate the need to sell candy bars and wreaths to raise money for the band.
“We’ve done the same thing every year — sell candy bars and wreaths,” Hoadley said. “This, and the (Morton) Invitational that we host kind of makes up for it so we don’t have to sell those types of things. That’s not exactly fun to do.”
Hoadley said starting an endowment fund is very necessary for the band, considering reduced state funding has forced school districts to cut costs in extra-curricular activities.
“It’s becoming very necessary because of all the costs,” she said. “It seems like a lot of schools are cutting costs for programs like the band.”
When established, Geiger said the fund will eventually help pay for transportation, trailers, instrument needs and scholarships for students who cannot afford to participate.
“We have to come forward with more funds to support those programs,” he said. “Our philosophy is to never turn a child away.”
Working with the Morton Community Foundation is nothing new to the band, Geiger added.
“The MCF has been in support of our program through requests made by (director Jeff) Neavor or others on behalf of the music program,” Geiger said. “They are extremely generous people to work with.”
