It is no secret that alumni of West Virginia University remain true and loyal to the Mountaineers long after their graduation day. So, when the WVU Marching Band and the WVU Foundation announced the Band Aid campaign to raise money for new uniforms, there was never a doubt that alumni near and far would donate to the cause.
Coast to coast, nearly 20 alumni chapters from nine states banded together to raise more than $7,700, giving the 375-member �€~Pride of West Virginiathe ability to purchase 15 full band uniforms.
This is another great testament of the loyalty of our alumni,said Stephen L. Douglas, president and chief executive officer, WVU Alumni Association.Alumni are very proud of the marching band, and our chapter members were eager to help the band in this important fund raiser.
Alumni chapters that participated in Band Aid include: Blue Ridge Mountaineers, Roanoke, Va.; Boone County, Madison, W.Va.; Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C.; Eastern Panhandle, Martinsburg, W.Va.; Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Greater Cincinnati-Dayton, Ohio; Greater LA, Los Angeles, CA; Liberty Township, Ohio; Hill Country Mountaineers, Austin, Texas; Kanawha Valley, Charleston, W.Va.; Liberty Bell, Philadelphia, Pa.; Lonestar, Houston, Texas; North Coast Cleveland, Bay Village, Ohio; National Capital Area, Washington, D.C.; Potomac Valley, Keyser, W.Va.; Rocky Mountain, Westminster, Colo.; RTP , Raleigh, N.C.; and University, Morgantown, W.Va.
Each chapter had their own unique way of raising money. Courtney Jennings, president of the University Chapter and former WVU band member, knew how important this effort was and that the local chapter was glad to pitch in and help.
We gave a challenge to our members: Contribute to Band Aid and the chapter would match up to $500 in total contributions,said Jennings.Through the generous support of our members, we were able to raise nearly $1,000.
The Kanawha Valley Chapter held a 50/50 raffle during a special band performance in Charleston. The chapter raised $500 for their half and then the winner of the drawing showed her gold and blue spirit by contributing her $500 back to the fund raiser, bringing the Kanawha Valley Chapters contribution to $1,000.
When we found out about Band Aid, we passed along the information and the checks came rolling in,said Bill Gray, president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter.Everyone takes a lot of pride in the band, so we were able to collect enough money for a full uniform. We sing the fight song at games and even have the band CD playing now and then. Even though we are thousands of miles away, the band and WVU are still in our hearts.
The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 170,000 University graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the union and approximately 60 foreign nations. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the Associations 26,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming Weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni, Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund, Student Alumni Association, and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs. For more information about the WVU Alumni Association, visit http://alumni.wvu.edu/ .