Swinging for the band

What: The Joliet Central Band Parents Association helps provide support to the band through parent involvement and helps to promote students involvement in band sponsored activities. How much : Band Parents could not provide a total amount raised from the Feb. 24 fundraiser.

"It's a great opportunity for the community to come out and see the kids showcase their talent," said Jeff Pritz, president of the Band Parent Association.
The night featured a live auction for Walt Disney park hopper tickets by one of the parents who wrote to Disney asking for a donation in support of the band. Since one of the things planned is a trip to Disney next year so the band can play, it seemed like a natural and fitting choice.

The parents received about $10,000 in donations from the community for the different auctions and raffles offered on this night. They had raffles, a silent auction and a live auction where they offered bicycles, futons, paintings, a Steelman charm necklace and everything in between.
"The community support was amazing," said Sue Delost .

"The business community was more supportive and generous then we could have expected."
All the money raised will go to support the band kids, it will help buy equipment, transportation to Disney next year, and to help with the purchase of uniforms.
Glen and Deborah Johnson were past band parents who still braved the sleet and snow to come out and listen to the band.

They said they still support the band because it was a treasure for their child and they just love listening to the kids play.
After a wonderful meal, the different generations gathered on the dance floor, each bringing their own style as they danced to the swing music. A toe-tapping "Pennsylvania 6-5000" filled the dance floor as others danced in their seats.

"There has been a history of fun things associated with the band," said Andrew Davis , a member of the band and future band director. "Mr. Fiske asked, so I joined my freshman year.

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Whether this was your first year or you'd been coming for years, you couldn't help but be impressed by the rich sound that filled the room. Not to mention a line of dancing trumpet players.
John Trusty showed up to listen to his nephew Ben Walker play the drums in the band for the first time.

"I love the music and the place is beautiful," Walker said of the evening.