Tractor Donated to SHS Band by Local Family

Editor's note: This is a monthly feature highlighting the Salem Patch Greatest Person, chosen because of their commitment to improving the lives of town residents and making a difference.

It all started with a conversation at home that led to an act of generosity to be felt by students for years to come.

Raymond Giuffre of Salem's oldest daughter, Katelynn, participated in the school band during her high school career and now is a freshman at Keene State.

About three years ago Raymond said he heard Katelynn talk about what she'd see at competitions across the country where the nationally-renowned SHS music program would participate.

"They would see tractor-trailer trucks come in from all these other schools," Raymond said. "They have these fancy trucks and trailers. She said our school needs to have something like that."

Raymond, who runs auto repair shop Giuffre Services in Salem, suggested perhaps he would donate his tractor to the school.

Word spread, Raymond was solicited by the Parents Music Club (PMC) who proceeded to buy a trailer with their own funds, and then earlier this year, Giuffre was able to donate 1989 W900 Kenworth tractor to the school so students can transport their music equipment to and from their numerous competitions without having to rely on rentals.

The donation was made in the name of the Giuffre family.

"It's a wonderful gift," SAU 57 Superintendent Michael Delahanty said. "We're certainly grateful."

Giuffre has another daugther, Raelynn, who is an SHS sophomore in the band and twin 7th graders, Raymond and Kristen, who also participate in music at Woodbury School.

Raymond will maintain the tractor for the school. It has a brand new engine with 300,000 miles on the chassis, he said.

"There's no limitation," he said. "Even after my kids leave the school, I'll just keep going with it. No bells and whistles."

He credited the PMC for their role in making this a reality and the dedication of so many parents, students and staff like SHS Music Director Marty Claussen.

"You have to watch these kids and see what they do," Giuffre said.

"Our band is like the football team at most schools," Delahanty said. "People come to a game to watch the team but they also come to watch the band perform."

Because of that, Giuffre can't put a value on what the tractor will mean to the school community.

"If it made my kids happy, why can't I help make all these other kids happy?" he said.

Delahanty expects the tractor-trailer will be put to extensive use.

"There's a competition going on somewhere just about every weekend," he said. "The effort and dedication of everyone involved always shows."