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Band dinner offers pasta with a side of music
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Neighbors | Submitted.Members of the seventh and eighth-grade Symphonic Band percussion section prepared to perform at the Canfield Band Parents Annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction Feb. 26.
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Neighbors | Submitted.Attendees of the Canfield Band Parents 41st Annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction Feb. 26 checked out the more than 120 baskets available in the Chinese auction.
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Neighbors | Submitted.A huge crowd enjoyed a hearty meal of pasta at the Canfield Band Parents Annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction Feb. 26.
By ABBY SLANKER
What could be better than listening to the soft strains of live music while enjoying a hearty pasta dinner on a cold winter day?
Well, the more than 1,600 attendees of the Canfield Band Parents’ annual pasta dinner and Chinese auction in the high school cafeteria Feb. 26 can answer that question — nothing.
Eight bands, including the fifth- and sixth-grade band, the seventh- and eighth-grade band and numerous high school bands, performed throughout the day during the Canfield Bands’ biggest fundraiser of the year. The money raised goes back into the band program to provide such things as sheet music, instruments and uniforms.
Members of the high school bands volunteered during the dinner, from bussing tables to helping in the kitchen, to preparing take-out orders. Members of the Canfield Band Parents were hard at work in the kitchen preparing the dinner, which included pasta, meatballs and sausage, salad, bread, beverage and dessert.
According to co-chair Cathy Wirtz, this is the 41st year the Canfield Band Parents has sponsored a dinner.
“We figured out that this is the 41st year the band parents have hosted some sort of dinner. In the past, we have had several parents whose children have graduated come back to help with the dinner. We have several volunteers like that this year, too. This is a great event and we have great people to work with and have such good energy here, and that leads to a successful dinner. And we really appreciate the community’s support,” Wirtz said.
Giant Eagle Corp. made a donation of products for the dinner, and other local businesses, such as Buckeye Lawn Service, Motter’s Music, Drake’s Landing and Avion on the Water Banquet Center, purchased advertising space on the placemats, with the proceeds going to help underwrite the costs of the dinner.
Wirtz co-chaired the event with Danielle Kapalko and Chinese auction co-chair was Jacque DeAngelo, which included more than 120 donated baskets from local businesses.
Donors included dentist Melissa Padgett, DeAngelo Orthodontics, The Eye Care Center, Rite Aid, Music Gallery, Dr. Mark Billy, Dr. Susan Woods, Come Stay and Play Resort, Magnolias on the Green Salon, Home Savings and Loan, Cornersburg Dairy Queen, Cocca’s Pizza, Taste Buds Caf and several individuals and families.
Several of the Canfield bands also donated their own baskets to the auction.
According to DeAngelo, the auction alone raised $5,600 last year.
“We are very fortunate with our donors. We have several repeat donors and they have been very generous. We are hoping for another successful auction this year,” DeAngelo said.
The Canfield Band Parents also coordinated a 50/50 raffle during the event and were selling Canfield Band and Canfield Cardinal spirit wear, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and decals. A DVD of the 2010-11 season was also available for order.
Canfield Bands also runs a fruit fundraiser in the fall and works the concession stand at the high school football games.
“Band is a year-round activity. Canfield Band Parents spends the money we raise wisely and we make sure it brings the most benefit to the students,” Wirtz concluded.