Roswell High Band Volunteer 600 Hours For Community Service

ROSWELL, GA -- Roswell High School students took to their community this weekend when they contributed more than 600 hours of community service through various projects around the city.

The students are working to raise funds for their band program, while also giving back to their local community.

On March 16, they participated in the second annual M.A.R.C.H. fundraiser, which stands for "Musicians Acting with Responsibility, Compassion, and Hard work." Last year, the students raised more than any other fundraiser in band history and contributed over 600-man hours to the Roswell community.

This year's work day involved various sites around North Fulton, including Chattahoochee River Keeper, National Park Service, North Fulton Community Charities and others.

"The kids and the leaders worked so hard," Chuck Douglas, Site Coordinator for Smith Plantation said in a release. " I really appreciate the work. The woodland trail was totally completed on Saturday last year. It is a project I have been trying to get done for many years and to get it all done in a day is just incredible."

The band program at Roswell High School, as well as other local high schools, is only partially funded by the county. The lion's share of the cost to operate the in class band, marching band, competitions, color guard, indoor drum line and any band trips falls to the parents and parent organized booster associations. This fundraiser is designed to empower the students to take ownership of their band program as well as connect in their community through service.

Mark Herring, co-president of the Roswell High School Band Boosters, said he borrowed the concept for this fundraiser from a high school ministry he used to work for in Barrington, Illinois.

"We would raise all the operational funds, apart from salaries, from a similar community service day," Herring said. "It became a fun tradition that the kids looked forward to every year and it helped instill a love of community for those students."

In the past, fundraising fell to the parents and generally featured a variety of product sales, including items such as cookies, candles or popcorn. Not only are product-based fundraisers exhausting for parents and students, but once the product company is paid for the goods, there is little left for the band program.

"We've found that people are much more generous and willing to donate monies if nearly all of it goes to the program and students," Herring said. "Additionally, donors are equally motivated by the fact that it has an impact in the local community. It's a win/win for everyone and it's tax-deductible."

The students raise support for their work day by soliciting donations from friends, family and local businesses. The money they raise also garners incentives for the students such as a t-shirt, free food at the home football game, gift cards and season passes to Six Flags. The students want to raise a minimum of $400 each.

"Music is a universal language, and we all have a universal love for Roswell," Michael Dal Cerro, co-president of Roswell High School Band Boosters said in a release. "The kids are our future leaders and a part of this community. We want to empower them through this community service project."

To make a tax-deductible donation, text "RHSband" to 779-77 or go online. Roswell High School Booster Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization run by volunteers serving the students of the Roswell High School Band programs. If you would like more information about this topic, email Mark Herring at president@roswellband.com.

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