The Charleston Rotary Club and the Ed and Becky Meek Foundation have contributed funds to support a Charleston High School Band campaign to acquire new instruments.
CHS Band Director Tommy Johnson, speaking at the April 12 meeting of Rotary, talked about the dire need for additional instruments and funds to repair existing band instruments.
As a result, the Charleston Rotary Club contributed $5,000 to the high school band program and $3,000 to the Charleston Middle School band program, and the Meek Foundation contributed $3,000 and launched a campaign to secure additional instruments and funds for CHS.
“The first post on Facebook announcing the campaign to collect instruments and support for the band resulted in gifts of two instruments and donations,” said Meg Sinervo, executive director of the Meek Foundation.
Josh Hawkins of Batesville gave a like-new trumpet that his son had used and was sitting in storage.
This trumpet was donated for the Charleston High School band by Josh Hawkins of Batesville. (Photo special to The Sun-Sentinel)
Mitzi Brock of Greenville dropped off at The Sun-Sentinel office a trombone that had been used by her husband, Al, when he was in high school.
“We were cleaning out and had hoped we could find somebody to donate it to,” Brock said. “We were happy to see that [the Meek Foundation] was collecting instruments for the Charleston band. ... I think it’s very important.”
Some donors provided cash to the ongoing CHS band drive.
“This is great support from the Mississippi community, and we look forward to a fully equipped CHS band and great sound next year,” Sinervo said.
Anyone having an instrument to contribute should contact Sinervo at 662-816-8232 or email her at meg.sinervo@meekfoundation.com.
