Sahuarita High band kids near their fundraising goal

Since asking the community for help in early October, the Sahuarita High School Marching Band has received more than $4,500 to help it get to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, where it has been chosen to perform in the half-time show.

But three band members are still hustling to come up with cash for the trip in late December.

“It’s been amazing the support the community has given so that these kids get to go,” Christine Garcia, the band’s director, said.

Garcia said that donations of $20 to $400 — many of which will be reimbursed if donors choose to claim an Arizona Tax Credit — have made it possible to send over 60 of the band’s members to perform at the national event.

The three band members who still need help are special cases, Garcia said.

One, who was emancipated from his parents legally, “has no real income,” Garcia said, and is living with a relative.

The other two of them are from families who just moved to the area. In addition to their recent moving costs, the $600 to cover travel and lodging for the week of the Cotton Bowl is a big stretch, Garcia said.

The band still needs to raise about $1,500 to get everyone on the plane in December and to cover meals and other expenses.

In addition to getting to watch the game, the band will go on a tour of historic Dallas sites, attend a New Year’s Eve Party at Southfork Ranch (where the television show “Dallas” was filmed) with other high school bands and perform in the New Year’s Day Parade.

The band will host a chuck wagon dinner Dec. 8 before the Winter Arts concert, where they will try to raise more funds to cover the remaining costs.

Some students worked at the White Elephant fair, helping vendors set up booths for tips which were used for the cost of the trips. The band has also been selling donuts and candy at school and water bottles at football games to raise money.

To help the band with a donation, contact Garcia at 625-3502, extension 1551.

547-9732 | fax: 625-1603