Fayette County High School Band

Dear Friends of the Fayette County HS Band:

 

As you may already know, the Fayette County High School marching band was invited to march in the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA on New Year’s Day.  The parade, which features only 15 bands from the entire country, is televised to millions of people worldwide.  Along with the honor of being selected comes a financial commitment.  The per-student cost is $1495.  While most of our students were able to pay for their trip through fundraisers and/or payments, we have found that several students opted to not participate due to financial reasons. 

 

The president of the Tournament of Roses Parade, Paul Holman, is concerned about the number of our marching band members who are unable to participate because of the cost.  Mr. Holman noticed that we have 125 students out of about 150 signed up to march in the parade.  He stated that this was unacceptable to the Rose Bowl Executive Committee for the following reasons.

 

1. The Tournament of Roses (TOR) Parade is such an honor that they want every student to experience it, and for the band parents to pull together to find a way for everyone to go. His analogy was to a football team going to the playoffs.  If players couldn’t afford it, the team would not leave them behind.  We applied for between 145 and 165 and they want us to adhere to that number.
2. A band of 125 will be too small and not able to play with enough volume for the full length of the parade. 
3. The TOR usually has the opposite problem.  When bands apply to come they ask for additional spots in the parade because they have so many alumni that return to march in the parade.

                There are several contributing factors to this problem, none of which can be helped.  Among these are a smaller FCHS due to rezoning, the recent Delta bankruptcy scare, and the changing socio-economics of our school.

                While including everyone may be a lofty, unattainable goal, it is the hope of the FCHS Band Boosters that the community will rally behind us and help us to offer this once in a lifetime experience for all of our students.  To accomplish this goal, approximately $30,000 to $40,000 is needed.  We would certainly benefit from any help that individuals or businesses are able to give.  No donation is too small.  Unfortunately, we are quickly approaching a deadline.  The decision must be made by September 21 to either include more students or to cancel the trip that our students have been looking forward to. 

 

There is no way we can allow our TOR Parade invitation to be rescinded without disappointing the students, families, and community.  We don’t want the FCHS Band to have that reputation.  This is an opportunity for the FCHS Band and community to pull together and work toward the accomplishment of an amazing event.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kenneth F. Beard

Director of Bands

Fayette County High School

 

Comments or questions can be directed to Kim Kee at:

(678) 878-0122

cabound_06@bellsouth.net

 

Donations may be mailed to:

 

FCHS Band Boosters

P.O. Box  444

Fayetteville, GA 30214

Fayette County Department and Family Children Services - Needs List

Fayette County DFCS Current Needs:

 

1.                 Foster and adoptive parents are needed. The number of children going into the foster care system continues to rise in the county. There aren’t enough foster homes in Fayette County to care for them all. This means many of the children are taken from their familiar environments and significant relationships to be cared for in other counties. Citizens who want to help can help by getting the word out to the community regarding this critical need.  You can put up flyers, share information about the foster/adoptive parent process in your meetings, or include information in your bulletins or payroll envelopes.  We have flyers and other information for you to post or distribute. We also have small yard signs you could put on your lawn. This sign provides the statewide number for folks to call to get more information. DFCS Staff are available to come to your organization and talk with you about the need. The need is critical.  Call 1-877-210-KIDS to find out more.

2.                 Donations are needed for the foster children Incidental Fund.  This fund helps to directly provide for the special needs of the foster children of Fayette County. This fund reimburses our foster parents for items purchased for the children in their care. These items include, but are not limited to: hair cuts and hair care products, birthday gifts, allowance, school field trips, school pictures and yearbooks, prom/dance expenses, registration and uniforms for sports or band, recital fees, Christmas gifts, diapers and baby formula.  Gift cards in the denomination of $25.00 to retail or clothing stores are also a good idea, as we often get children into care with no clothes or personal items. Gift cards allow them to immediately get the help they need.

3.                 Diapers and pull-ups. Our children need diapers and pull-ups, all sizes.  We also need wipes and diaper ointment.

4.                 Children need school clothing. We have a clothing program for school age children who need school clothing.  The program is “Project A.C.F.A.S.C.” or Appropriate Clothing for All School Children.” Children are referred by school or DFCS agency staff and are matched with an A.C.F.A.S.C. Partner who agrees to buy clothing for them. New clothes are needed. However, a partner may contribute gently used clothing along with their gift of new clothing. If you don’t like to shop, we accept checks and gift cards. This is the only program of its kind in the state of Georgia. There have been 287 referrals since the program began in April 2003.  WE NEED MORE PARTNERS!  

5.                 The DFCS Employment Services Program is looking for jobs for our families.  Our goal is to help families become more self sufficient, and be able to care for themselves and their children.  Please call if you feel you have job possibilities, or for details about this program, 770-460-2555.

6.                 Our next community project will be holiday assistance. We will be taking requests soon for Thanksgiving Baskets. For help during Christmas, we will be referring families to the Fayette Holiday Helpers. This is a volunteer group and will need sponsors and volunteers during the holidays. Their direct number is 678-817-0004.

 

If you would like to be on my e-mail list to get the LATEST NEWS about needs of our families and children, call or e-mail today!

 

For details or more information call Sharon Herbert, Community Resource Specialist, 770-460-2477, or e-mail at ssherbert@dhr.state.ga.us.

 

Updated 9/8/06

Dogwood Forest

On Sept 16th, Dogwood Forest will be having our 4th Annual Garage Sale and all the proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Walk on OCt.7th.  If you or any members of your church have any items at home(in your garage) that you do not need and would like to donate towards the sale, that would be great!  THe more items we sell, the more money we can give to the Alzheimer's Association.

 

Just contact  Natalie, Derrick or Tami Tucker at Dogwood  Forest in Fayetteville. The sale is from 8am to 3pm.