“Thank You Johnston!” exclaimed Ron Lamoureux, chairman of Johnston High School’s national award-winning Music Department. “With so much generosity from many, many donors, we raised thousands of dollars during our Calendar Raffle that will go a long way towards funding our April 7-11 trip to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va.”
In all, as Lamoureux said with excitement ringing in his voice: “The kids and parents as well as members of the Johnston School Music Association were really motivated about the upcoming trip and more than doubled last year’s sales in a matter of just a few weeks.”
How motivated!
“Last year we sold 500 calendars,” the popular music leader offered. “This time, we sold an extraordinary total of 1,202 calendars at $10 each.”
All of which means that JHS vocalists and musicians — as students have done in previous years — will have an opportunity to prove their mettle and talents against high school students from all around the country during the April 7-11 Music in the Park series.
Dozens of people who purchased the calendars concurred that each of the scheduled 31-day drawing features attractive packages such as $100 cash from Mayor Joseph Polisena, Council President Robert V. Russo, the Johnston School Committee, Police and Firefighters Unions, Johnston Lions Club and other combined winnings from council members Linda Folcarelli and Robert Civetti, State Sen. Frank Lombardo, and state Rep. Deb Fellela.
“This was a strong statement of how business owners as well residents feel about the importance of our school programs in Johnston,” offered Civetti, who along with his brother David provided several prizes including cash. “The trip is a wonderful opportunity to compete nationally and will be educational, as well.”
For example, the 50 JHS students who’ll travel to Virginia on a chartered double-decker motor-coach along with chaperones, will compete at two different high schools and later tour Williamsburg where they’ll see staffers performing work and chores as they did during a by-gone era.
“Our kids will learn a great deal watching people dressed – and working – from the colonial era,” Lamoureux. “Everyone is excited about the trip, national competition, meeting students from other states and it all will become a reality thanks to the grateful generosity of countless Johnstonians.”
Even Dave’s Marketplace and Stop & Shop put up a prize of $200 each, while three dozen businesses — including establishments in Smithfield and Lincoln — put up prizes, as did Jason Glander of Custom Fundraising Solutions, that will hosts the JHS Music Department’s annual mattress sale fundraiser scheduled for April 2. Glander offered $150 in cash.
Blissful Meadows Club, New England Country Club, Trigg’s Memorial Golf Course, Foster Country Club and Crystal Lake Golf Course all put up prizes for foursomes and carts.
“Many people were amazed with the prizes,” Lamoureux emphasized. “Excitement ran rampant from the first winning ticket drawing (March 1). This was again an outpouring of special and super support for our music students.”
On March 1, Tod Droukas won a $100 gift car to Home Depot courtesy of the Johnston School Committee. Brenna Pires won $50 to Johna’s, $25 to English Muffins and $25 to This Guy’s Pizza.
Other winners were: March 3 — Joshua Galaes, $50 Target, $25 to Providence Coal Fired Pizza; $10, The Lighthouse Restaurant; March 4 — Trod Droukas $100 cash; March 5-Tom Iasimone, New England Country Club; March 6, Ron, Blissful Meadows Golf; March 7— Kathy Law, $50 Baffoni’s Poultry Farm, $25 Wright’s Dairy,$10 Home Fries; March 8 — Meredith McCauley, $100 Stop Shop; March 9 — Columbia Fleming, $50 to Silvio’s, $25 to Chili’s, $25 IHOP of Lincoln.
The drawings will continue and as Lamoureux pointed out: “These are busy times for our kids. In addition to their studies and rehearsals, they’ve be at Kirkbrae Country Club to help kickoff (tonight’s) NorthCentral Chamber of Commerce special event.”
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