The Deptford High School Spartan marching band will hold a basket auction fundraiser on April 5 in the high school cafeteria to raise money for its upcoming season. Like many student activity organizations, a new season brings new expenses, such as uniforms, instruments and equipment repairs or replacements, among numerous other costs to keep the band marching. The band is trying to alleviate those expenses as best as possible by raising money throughout the community.
The band strives to flourish as a competitive band each season and believes its fundraisers are one of the keys to success.
Those who attend can help make that possible by coming out and having a fun-filled night of community togetherness.
Director Michael Armstrong is jazzed about the decision to do an auction.
“It’s a very common thing you see out there because it’s something people like and want to be a part of,” he said. “It has the potential to bring in a lot of money.”
This is the band’s second-biggest fundraiser of the year, so it is hoping to make some noise, and not just from instruments.
When auction night rolls around, Armstrong wants to see many people fill the seats so everyone who attends has a good time, but also so the band can get as much monetary help as possible.
Armstrong is hoping this fundraiser will help get the band off to a great start.
“One of the biggest goals we have each year is to try to get the band to grow in numbers,” he said.
This upcoming season he knows some of the band members will not return for one reason or another, and he sees this season as an opportunity to recoup those losses.
“Every year, we have spots that have opened up that we have to fill,” he said. “So the goal is to try to fill those spots and add to that and to continue to let the program grow and develop.”
On the other hand, he has a personal goal to have his students try to develop new skills that they may not have before, in hopes that will make them all collectively better this season.
The doors open at 6 p.m. and the auction begins at 7 p.m. for those who want to get started early.
If you purchase tickets before the event, it’s $5 per sheet of tickets and $20 for five sheets of tickets. It’s $7 per sheet of tickets and $20 for four sheets of tickets at the door. You can win prizes, such as gift cards and vouchers from Seven Star Diner, Hand & Stone, Five Guys Burgers and many other establishments located in South Jersey.
To get tickets contact Juliah Davis at (302) 494-0454 or juliahadavis@gmail.com. Or contact Melissa Harris at (856) 693-3967 or Marhrmh@comcast.net.
