The community spirit of support was in full gear Saturday at the Donley Ford Dealership located at 249 Mansfield Avenue in Shelby. For the second year in a row Ford Motor Company and Donley Ford of Shelby revved up their Drive4UrSchool program to help raise money for the Shelby High School Band.
“It’s a good way to raise money for our trip and to get the community involved,” said band member Sydney Ernsberger.
For every new car test-driven on the one-day event, Ford Motor Company and Donley Ford of Shelby donates $20 or up to $6,000 for the band. The money raised will fund a trip to Florida in March of 2014.
Every four years the Shelby Whippets student band travels to Florida to march at Walt Disney World over the spring break week. Members of the Shelby School District including teachers, parents and the Shelby Athletic Boosters volunteered their time at the days event.
Band Director Lisa Baker stated,”Turnout has been fantastic. We are very hopeful we will hit our goal.”
A raffle was included as part of the day’s activities to raise money for the Whippets. Merchandise such as hats, stickers, book bags and water bottles were all available for purchase as well as raffle tickets for a 55′ flat screen television with sound bar included.
Whippet Athletic Booster President Cathy Dodge has been rallying support for the school for 30 years and remarked on the days event,”The traffic has been good, it’s a beautiful day, it’s just awesome.”
Parent and Shelby resident Micheal Uplinger came out to support the school said,”I came out to the event today to support my daughter who is a member of the band.”
“Ten minutes out of my day to help them? Absolutely,” said Eric Pohlabel, a Shelby resident who came out test drive a car and show his support. Pohlabel added,”This is an easy way to support the band, I always believe in supporting the kids and the school.”
Members of the student band ran a concession stand to feed the hungry supporters. Plenty of hot dogs, snow cones and beverages were on hand.
General Manager of Donley Ford in Shelby Aaron Sponsler said,”So far it’s a great turnout.”
Sponsler added the event is a great way to show support for the school and to encourage the community to be involved as well. His hope is that the program will continue into the future.
”This is an easy way to support the band, I always believe in supporting the kids and the school,” said Shelby resident Eric Pohlabel.
