We set a goal back in April when Mr. Matney and I met about a raffle fundraiser to try to raise $10,000 in sponsorship/scholarships for this trip to Philadelphia and New York. Through band parents and students getting out in the community and social media letting people know we had an anonymous donor willing to match anything up to $10,000 that we raised, we were able to meet — actually exceed — that goal.

The Vereen Center’s match of those funds has us having the success of raising nearly $24,000 in sponsorships for this trip. We have several students whom we have given scholarship to based on a few donors wanting us to “sponsor a child”… those students are 100% sponsored.

We also have a few parents whom companies wanted to fully sponsor based on their high involvement in this sponsorship process.

On top of that, we were able to take $160 (and maybe more) off of the starting price of the trip for everyone.

I have been absolutely humbled by the amount of response we had to this call for help. Our band students are truly going to have a trip of a lifetime in November because of all the alumni, businesses, and people who were willing to help. I thank each of them from the bottom of my heart.

These band students all become a part of my family. The moment they enter our program, we truly work to help them become the best version of themselves that they can be. I am so proud of all of them and of all the students who have come before them to create the foundation of the 50th Regiment Band.  We are blessed in Moultrie/Colquitt County to have such committed, dedicated, and supportive students, parents, administrators and community. Thank you to everyone.

Liz Savage

CCHS band director