Drivers take a spin for LCHS band

[August 15, 2011]  Consumers often buy products from companies that promise to contribute a percentage of sales to a worthy cause, but how many people actually know how much is given as a result of their activity? Participants at a fundraiser on Saturday could see the donations as the numbers were tallied and knew immediately their fun was going to make a difference.

The event, hosted by the Lincoln Community High School Band Boosters, partnered the organization with Lincoln Chrysler Dodge Jeep to raise funds for new uniforms and equipment.

A registration tent was positioned on the lawn near the circle drive at the entrance to the LCHS gym. After completing a short survey and providing a valid driver's license, anyone 18 and over could test drive one of the new Dodge vehicles made available by the local dealership. A $20 donation was committed to the band boosters for each test drive taken during Saturday's event.

"This is an opportunity for the local community to raise funds for the band and for the dealership to promote their product," said Bob Lang, dealer network manager with Chrysler Group LLC.

"This is a national effort by Dodge to make a contribution to local communities and to create a fun and exciting way for people to touch, smell and feel the new vehicles the company has available.

"Dodge is in the middle of a renewal," Lang said, "and the company, through its dealers, wants to share its excitement for the future by acknowledging the efforts of a community organization and helping them reach their goals."

According to the band boosters' public relations officer, Jan Miller, there were 104 drivers between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, for a total of $2,080. One of the drivers donated $20 for the cause, for a grand total of $2,100.

It was a nice touch, and purely coincidental, that the band was practicing on the field north of the parking lot during most of the time drivers were coming and going.

"This was such a successful event," Miller said. "We can sell candy, run a concession and organize other fundraisers and not make anywhere near this amount at one time. This will help a lot toward our goal for new uniforms and equipment.

"As an organization, the band boosters appreciate the support we receive from the community," Miller continued. "Today's event was certainly a show of support. We would like to tell those who came out to test drive, and to everyone who donates in any way throughout the school year, thank you."

[By MARLA BLAIR]