CHIMACUM — The Chimacum High School Band, the only band in the state that will be in Hawaii on Pearl Harbor Day, has raised nearly half the funds it needs for the trip.
The band will march in a Dec. 7 parade to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which prompted U.S. entry into World War II.
As of this week, the band had used a variety of fundraising tools to collect about $30,000 toward the projected $68,000 needed to send the 60-member band on the five-day trip, which includes four days of sightseeing and historical programs for the students.
Each student needs to raise $1,400.
“There are a few kids who have already paid in full while others need help to earn the money for their trips,” said Chimacum High School Principal Whitney Meissner.
“We have kids who have never been out of the area, and this will give them the ability to be part of our nation’s history and understand this important event.”
The Pearl Harbor parade is an annual commemoration of the anniversary of the Japanese surprise attack that killed 2,335 U.S. servicemen and wounded another 1,143. Sixty-eight civilians were also killed and 35 were wounded.
In 2013, seven high school bands participated in the commemoration.
This year, the Chimacum Band is the only band from Washington state in the parade, Meissner said.
“We are not only representing Chimacum, we are representing the whole state this year,” she said.
Aside from the band, about 10 chaperones are making the trip and have been recruited from the band boosters board.
Also traveling with the group will be several parents and grandparents, Meissner said.
The complete amount needs to be raised by about Nov. 1, Meissner said.
Four fundraising events are planned with more to be scheduled, she said.
■ The Port Townsend Summer Band and the Sequim City Band will perform at 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Chimacum High School auditorium, 91 West Valley Road.
All of the proceeds will go the band, and admission is $10.
■ A block party on the beach near the Pourhouse, 2231 Washington St., in Port Townsend, is scheduled for Sept. 21.
Donations for the band’s trip will be requested.
■ A Choral Belles concert and silent auction will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Elks Club, 555 Otto St., Port Townsend.
Admission is by donation.
■ The William Shane Comedy Hypnosis Show will give a performance at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Chimacum High School gym, with half of the money collected from the $10 admission going to the band.
Meissner said she has put out the word for people who are willing to make large personal donations or companies that are willing to match the funds contributed by their employees.
Students are offering labor at $10 per hour for yard work and miscellaneous jobs, all of which will go toward the trip.
The labor force is organized into 11 teams, such as Team Nordland and Team Port Townsend, with each headed by a parent leader.
To line up band labor for miscellaneous tasks, call the team leaders: In Chimacum, Jamie Jensen, 360-732-4745 or Frank Trafton, 360-301-2402; Nordland, Karen Brennan, 360-774-0242; Quilcene/Brinnon, Nikki Brakeman, 360-223-6550; Port Hadlock, Trisha Miller, 360-385-2373, Dawn Crocker, 360-344-2421 or Jacqueline Montgomery 360-301-6896; Port Ludlow, Jeannine Jonsson, 206-250-3463, Tamara Richey, 360-301-9718 or Whitney Meissner 360-316-1088; Port Townsend, Consuelo Brennan, 360-379-2602.
For more information, email karenlpbrennan@yahoo.com.
Direct contributions can be sent to Chimacum Band Boosters Association, PO Box 631, Chimacum, WA 98325.
Contributions brought to the school at 91 West Valley Road can get a receipt for tax purposes, Meissner said.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
