4/5/07

Bi-Lo and MHS Band get together for fundraiser, community outreach
By Eric Goold

ERIC GOOLD/Manning Times

Manning High School Band Director Ray Francis is pictured at an event with the band late last year. The band and Bi-Lo are teaming up for a joint fundraiser and sales event on Saturday, April 7.

The Manning High School Band and the local Bi-Lo Inc. grocery store are getting together for a fun day of fundraising and community outreach events.

On Saturday, April 7, the band will perform at the Bi-Lo at 411 Sunset Drive from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. It will be a joint fundraising effort for the band as well as a springtime sales event for Bi-Lo.

“Weather permitting, we’ll have spring and summer merchandise available outside,” said Bi-Lo Customer Service Manager David White.

“We will also have a hotdog sale at the front of the store selling hotdogs, chips and soft drinks,” said White. “The band will be collecting donations and conducting some fundraisers while at Bi-Lo.”

According to Ray Francis, the Manning High School Band Director, fundraising isn’t the only reason that the band will be performing.

“We’ll be selling some candy while we’re out there, but mostly we’ll be playing music for the community,” said Francis. “We like to play for the community anytime that we can.”

The band will perform for the upcoming Striped Bass Festival. The Marching Monarchs have also played at the Christmas parade and the Veteran’s Day ceremonies. The funds raised by their efforts at Bi-Lo will go toward things like uniforms, instruments and costs of maintaining the band, which can be substantial.

The show should be a good one.

“We’re polishing up a lot of new numbers,” said Francis. “We even have next year’s show numbers ready.”

For White, a lifelong resident of Clarendon County, the event marks a chance to give a little back to his hometown.

“Bi-Lo was my first job in high school,” said White. “I returned as a manager in 2006. Our goal is to give back to the community as much as possible by conducting events to get the community involved.

“Giving the band this opportunity will hopefully make others in the area aware of just how good this group is,” he said. “And it can help the band get lined up to perform more local events if possible.”

The Manning band works hard to represent its school.

“I really appreciate Bi-Lo giving us an opportunity to play and get out into the community,” said Francis. “We really want to thank them for giving us a place to play our music and let community members come see us.

“These are the best kids I’ve ever had,” said Francis. “I’ve been teaching for 29 years, and I’ve never been in a place with a group of kids who want to play as much as these guys do. It’s wonderful.”