Note from Ken Black Sept/16/10
Hi everyone,
Many of you know Buzz and Leigh Anne. Their daughter, Lydia, is a senior
this year. The Hanies have been very active in supporting the band
program with their time and efforts.
Since they have been such special members of our band family, we knew
many of you would want to know that they need our thoughts and prayers.
Buzz's dad passed away Sunday morning - he had been suffering with
Alzheimer's and will be dearly missed. Leigh Ann developed MRSA (a
serious infection) on her left leg and has been struggling to be careful
with that. They also recently had to move her father into a nursing home
in Baxley, Georgia.
We all go through tough times - they're certainly going through theirs
and I know they would appreciate your thoughts.
Ken
SMHS Band Boosters and students, including
our friends and supporters at RSMS Band:
We are now at a critical stage of needing assistance
for Thursday evening JV/9th grade games, Friday night Varsity games and
Saturday SM Youth Football games. We are receiving some assistance from
the Beta Club students who need service hours, but not nearly enough are
participating.
Here is the real deal folks: now that a new FCBOE
Superintendant is being hired, the touchdown clubs and athletic booster
groups of all five Fayette Co. high schools will be petitioning him for
control of all concessions. Dr. DeCotis was a huge fan of Fine Arts
programsin Fayette Co. and stated that as long as he was over the FCBOE
the band would get football concessions receipts. He is now gone.
Concessions historically brings our band programs $15,000-
$20,000 per year PROFIT!! As chairperson, I will do whatever it takes to
make sure we do not lose this income- 60% of all fundraising dollars
comes from concessions!! However, our inability to be involved to the
fullest and continually begging for assistance only makes us look weak
in our effort. Without concessions income, all of our band fees will
spike to record levels......this punishes our music students.
Please, and I am begging once again, get involved in an
organization which fosters the musical talents of your kids. Take time
to visit
www.smhsband.org and sign up for 1,2,3 shifts if
possible. You will feel quite rewarded, and your kids will appreciate
you also!
You get into the game for free and I'll feed you as well!
Thank you in advance for your time and support. Our music
students and programs deserve only the best opportunities we can give
them. It takes a dedicated team of boosters.
Ken Black
SMHS Band Boosters President & Concessions Chair
Ken's Top 7 Reasons to get into SMHS Band Concessions
7. Sweatin' with the oldies! We're burning calories, not
burgers!!
6. Great way to meet booster parents who potentially have
lots in common with you. Great lifelong friendships were
created by working concessions! We have more fun than any
other booster group at SMHS!
5. Can't work Friday night home games? There are numerous
ways to contribute
-
A. Shopping at Sam's club, Kroger/Publix for supplies during
week with band debit card
B. Bagging ice during game week- takes 30-45 minutes once a
week
C. Friday morning game day set up (ice down drinks, set up
tables and grills, get concession stands ready for evening
game- takes an hour or so from 9AM- til you have to go),
D. Thursday night JV/9th grade games with Terry Malmer-
doesn't even have kids or grandkids in the band, yet
dedicates his time!!
E. Saturday shifts for Starrs Mill Youth Football- we make
fundraiser $$$ just for working their concessions 9AM-5PM!!
4. Ever tried cooking 300+ burgers, 175+ hot dogs, 250#
fresh cut fries, 100 hot pretzels, numerous batches of
popcorn and nachos?
Ever sold hundreds of drinks and lbs of candy? Yes we do,
every Friday night home game!! EASY MONEY!!! We can show you
how!!
3. Concessions generates, depending on how well the football
team performs, the visitor side draw, and the number of home
games, an average of $15,000 annual fundraising profit to
ALL our bands, not just the Panther Pride. This is roughly
60% of ALL our fundraising for an average year. It takes
25-30 dedicated booster parents to run concessions per
Friday night game. 1% of ALL non-marching booster parents
get involved with concessions, hospitality, uniforms and
chaperone opportunities. Less than 5% of ALL non-marching
booster parents get involved in ANY band
fundraisers....simple economics: Increase in fundraising $$
earned this year = Lower band fees next year. We are a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization- every $$ we generate in
fees and fundraisers has an expense on the other side; we
are held to our approved annual budget. Want to lower fees?
Do fundraisers and get involved with keeping our expenses at
a minimum.
2. We now have delicious FRESH CUT FRIES at the home side
concession stand!! Great profit maker for us!!
1. YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF THE STARRS MILL HIGH SCHOOL BAND
BOOSTERS! With each passing year, we lose more and more
dedicated veteran booster parents who have worked hard the
past several years to get us where we are today. This year
is no exception. It is VERY important for you to STEP UP and
GET INVOLVED, whenever and wherever you can! What will your
legacy with the SMHS Band Boosters organization be? Only you
can decide....make it count for the sake and future of our
band programs, directors and most of all, our music
students. THAT is what we are charged to do as BOOSTERS.
Expect great things. Your board and dedicated booster
parents are working very hard once again this year. We need
you!!
Ken Black
SMHS Band Booster President and Concessions Chair
Visit Starr's Mill High School Band Website for more News