The cost for operating the Marching Cardinals fall and winter programs each year is nearly $95,000. Less than 20% of this money comes from the school district covering portions of the transportation costs and instructors salaries. The means over $76,000 must be raised by the booster organization through fund-raising effort or charging a fee to the students. The boosters have been fortunate these past few years in keeping the overall band fee to under $500. Unfortunately, there appears to be no relief in site for a reduction in the $234 fall band activity fee charged by the school. The booster organization has taken a very thorough look at its annual budget and has made numerous cuts without sacrificing the quality of either the fall or winter programs.
At the booster meeting last March, some additions were made to the organization's constitution. One of the items created from these additions was the Boost-A-Member committee. The boosters have been aware of the need for financial assistance to some of our band students. With costs to participate in marching band at an all-time high, it is apparent that some of our students are struggling to cover the expenses associated with this activity. The realization of this problem spurred a discussion amongst the boosters and the result was the formation of this committee.
The Boost-A-Member committee is responsible for distribution of funds donated for the purpose of assisting with financially challenged students. The committee is also responsible for setting the guidelines for collecting the fund as well as setting the criteria for the disbursement to the students. We have already begun receiving requests from parents and students for assistance and have received a few donations toward the fund. What we are really in need of are people interested in working on this committee.
The boosters are looking for parents, students or alumni who would like to help on this committee. People are needed to work on the donation requests and set the guidelines for the student scholarships. Anyone interested in joining this committee can contact any of our booster officers.
Over the years, the Marching Cardinals have had hundreds of students and parents pass through the band. Our hope is to use this untapped asset and help this program with its current and future needs. We ask for you to help keep this program viable and affordable for our students to participate in.
We ask each and every alumnus of the Marching Cardinals to please donate toward this exciting and important program. Think of the possibilities: just 100 people times $100 equals $10,000! That's enough money to pay the entire fall band booster fee for 40 students! This type of funding would be used to reduce the financial burden on each family as well as lay the groundwork for future needs of the organization.
Use the link on the top of this page to download a form to assist you in submitting your tax-deductible contribution to our Boost-A-Member program. If possible, we encourage you to make this an annual contribution. This would help you as a tax deduction each year as well as set up a steady, reliable source of income for the band. If you have trouble downloading the form, you can send your donation to the following address:
CRHS Band Boosters
Attn: Boost-A-Member Committee
P.O. Box 48272
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
Make sure to list the Boost-A-Member fund in your check memo. Every contribution will be greatly appreciated not only by the committee but by the students who will benefit from your generosity.
Another way to contribute to the Boost-A-Member fund is through the AHEF program. When filling out your certificate form, just list the CRHS Marching Cardinals in the student section and the Boost-A-Member committee as the program. This would especially be helpful from any senior parents or alumni using the AHEF program who don't know where to designate their funds from the program.
Can the students, staff and boosters count on your help to maintain the affordability and viability of this special program?
