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Canfield Band Parents grateful to community for donations
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Pictured is a preview of the items donated by local businesses and members of the community, including local musicians, to the Canfield Band Parents 44th Annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction, to be offered from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Canfield High School.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield Band Parents are hard at work preparing for their 44th Annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction, including collecting local business’ donations to their auction Feb. 22.
According to Kim Urig, Chinese Auction chairman, several local businesses are very generous in their donations.
“We get a variety of donations from community leaders and local businesses. Each year, more and more folks realize that this is such a big event that they want to participate. Some of the new donors this year include Kennsington Golf Course and Pure Cycle Studios. Right now, over 120 different donors have been contacted and we always have tremendous response. I think the community realizes how important musical education is and wants to support our program,” Urig said.
Urig also said several businesses show their loyalty and donate year after year to the Chinese Auction, and attendees look forward to seeing familiar donations.
“Each year, people always look forward to The Clarinet Lamp, which Music Gallery donates. The Barkett, Betras and Kaleel family donated a large screen TV last year and again this year. No auction would be complete without the tower of ice cream treats from our friends at Cornersburg Dairy Queen or a beautiful piece of jewelry from Komara Jewelers. Other regular supporters include DeAngelo Orthodontics, The Vindicator and Motter’s Music,” Urig said.
The process of organizing and requesting donations starts months before the auction, resulting in approximately 100 baskets offered at the event.
“We began back in October sending out letters and writing grants for some of the national donations. As a result, this year, we will again be able to offer four one-day park hopper passes to Walt Disney World worth over $500. We also will have passes to Kings Island, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
“For local fun, we have received donations from the Phantoms and Oh WOW! Children’s Museum. We like to try to offer something that will appeal to everyone who attends, which starts from little siblings to proud grandparents. We also have a Nike Flexloft Driver valued at over $300, a Silpada necklace valued at $149, lottery trees and a Keurig coffee maker,” Urig said.
The band parents are grateful for the help this year from the Home Savings Foundation, band officers and board members.
“This year, we are especially grateful to the Home Savings Foundation, who has served as an underwriter for the dinner. They have truly demonstrated hometown commitment and pride by supporting our biggest fundraiser of the year.
“We also are grateful to our band officers and board whose commitment to the band is not just financial, but also with time and talent. The band family has a proud tradition and some of our biggest supporters of the program are people who either were in band themselves, or had or have children in the program. The group of parents who chaperoned the marching band trip to Chicago to march in the Magnificent Mile parade last November, for example, put together a Chicago Memories basket while in town. Our first thanks starts with the band family. Once you’re a member, you’re a member for life,” Urig said.
The Canfield Band Parents are grateful for the generosity and loyalty the community has showed them, and the students who benefit, through their donations and support.
“The local businesses’ generosity and support throughout the years means that the Canfield Bands can continue to represent our community on a local, state and national level with excellence. Our students go on to tremendous success after being part of the music program, both academically and artistically. Several of our alumni perform at the university level. A community-wide commitment to the program means that arts matter and enhance the lives of not just our students, but the entire town,” Urig said.
Funds raised at the Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction go to the ongoing support of the program by paying for sheet music, new instruments, paraprofessional instruction, competition fees and uniform funds.
The Canfield Band Parents 44th Annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction will be offered from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Canfield High School.