Hello Pat,

This is Jesse Nevel from Trey's class. I have a quick question. What is the status of the drum line at Mount Zion? Do they have uniforms? If so, how much money did the uniforms cost? What would be the best way to raise funds to purchase more uniforms? We are considering looking for a sponsor, writing grants, and setting up fundraisers.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jesse Nevel

University of South Florida

PAT'S RESPONSES TO MY EMAIL:

Jesse,

I believe the uniforms are around $300 each. We just received a small grant for a few uniforms and have other funds to cover about half of what we need. When I get the specific number, I will pass it along to you.

Jesse,

Here is a sketch of the band uniforms. Estimated costs to outfit everyone is $10,000. We've raised about $4,000 so far so we need an additional $6,000 specifically for uniforms. I appreciate all of your help and let me know if you need anything else.

Pat

Hi Pat,

Thanks for your reply. We are now brainstorming ways to raise the money. We'll let you know as we make progress. What can you tell me about the grant you received to cover the funding for half of the uniforms? Do you know of any similar grants?

Also, how active is the drum line at this juncture? We're considering perhaps getting the drum line involved in raising money for more uniforms.

Thanks.

Jesse

he grant money was from a police forfeiture grant from the city of St. Pete - it's available annually. The drum line does perform and has been paid $2,000 for a performance - they are quite good. I know they have been trying to get the Rays to pay them for performances at ball games and continue to work on that effort. Any efforts related to performances have to be coordinated with the drum line leader, but that shouldn't be a problem.

I get a variety of grant notifications. A ran across this one that might apply

Grant: Sparkplug Foundation – For a variety of programs, including music, education and teaching and grass-roots organizing.

Funder: Sparkplug Foundation.

Eligibility: Nonprofits.

Deadline: May 8.

Amount: Maximum grant is $5,000.

Contact: www.sparkplugfoundation.org.

Besides music related grants, you can also target grants for African American youth, leadership development, prevention, etc. I will forward grant notices as I believe they are appropriate to the drum line. Let me know if you need anything else.

That's great. I will post this information to the piloting pedagogies wiki.

I'd love to contact the drum line leader. Do you have his or her contact info?

Thanks,

Jesse

NOTES (not included in the email):

Jacob and I have been searching online for a site that sells drumline uniforms. This has been surprisingly difficult. But we did find a strange website called "The Guard Room."

Observe:

http://www.theguardroom.com/pages/utils/products_browse.asp?id=8&category=UNI

I personally love these triangular faux-glam Halloween costumes, but I'm betting this is not what Mt Zion is looking for. Of course, I might be wrong. Maybe these are perfect. This is what we need to find out. What does the Mt Zion drumline want?

paying for the costumes ---- sponsors. grants. FUNDRAISERS.

custom uniforms emblazoned with the Mt Zion logo