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Huron Expositor, 2006-03-22, Page 2Page 2 March 22, 2006 • The Huron Expositor News Marching ban still needs help with funding Cheryl Heath The band needs a hand. The Seaforth All Girls Marching Band, which has been an integral part of the community for more than 50 years, is on the brink of marching into its swan song. Parent volunteers of the group gathered on the upper level of Central Huron's town hall recently to help create new uniforms for what could be the group's last hur- rah after they were invited to per- form at the Calgary Stampede this July. "There is some fear that we won't be able to start up again in September," says long-time volun- teer Penny Breen. Indeed, what was once a group funded by the board of education was cut free from provincial funding by the former Michael Harris -led Progressive Conservative govern- ment. The Ontario Trillium Foundation picked up the slack for a five-year term but -noted from the beginning that the grants were a stop -gap measure. And now, reports Breen, the Foundation funding has come to an end — though it did grant the band a last $10,000 gift the Foundation mandated had to be used for a con- sultant that would attempt to drum up more funding methods. Breen notes the consultant did her job — and sent out more than 60 letters requesting funding but, sadly, no group has yet to step forward with a solid way to keep the band marching on at an estimated operating cost of between $15,000 and $20,000 per year. Breen says it's important to note the band does have loyal supporters, including the Goderich Lions' Club, which is doing its best to help in any way it can, as well as regular donors, like Montgomery Bus Lines and yearly donors, like the Municipality of Central Huron. Still, says Breen, more is needed. She is fearful that enough money won't be raised in time to save the band, which Breen says would be a "real shame" given its successes — including being invited to perform for Disney — and the fact 90 per cent of band members go on to study at the post -secondary level. As the parents and band support- ers are keeping their fingers crossed for donations that will keep one of Canada's only two marching bands flush with instruments and enough money to pay for transportation costs for events they are invited to, volunteers are doing their part to ensure that if the Calgary Stampede is the last event, the gang will go out with a bang. Indeed, the band is currently doing what it can to fundraise and ensure all 62 band members have the money neces- sary to get there. "It's all inclusive, no matter what," says Breen. "They're girls and they can just wow the world and they do." Breen notes the girls' outfit for the stampede include handcut vests, skirts offered up for a cut-rate price by White Oaks Mall and Bootlegger, white shirts and cowboy hats, which were provided at a bar- gain price by the Cowboy Loft in Brussels. "We can't even think of where we're going after that," adds volun- teer Sharon Thompson. "1 can't imagine September," says Breen, pledging: "The experi- ence at Calgary will be something they are not going to forget." She adds that all - girls groups continue to have value. "I think it's some- thing that would be really missed," she says. "Once it's gone, it's gone." Those wishing to donate to the band can do so by contacting Thompson at 525-3924, Breen at 524-9306 or Charlie Kalbfleisch at 525-2244. A fundraising spaghetti dinner will be held at the Ag Society building in Seaforth on April 30 and a chicken barbecue dinner June 11 at the Clinton Raceway. "YOUR RENOVATION AND HOME SPECIALISTS!' 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