The Most Talked About South Florida News In 2008
Jan 4, 2009 9:32 am US/Eastern
Taravella's Band Needs Cash For Inauguration Trip
CORAL SPRINGS (CBS4) ―
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The J.P. Taravella High School marching band was chosen from among nearly 1,400 applicants to march in the 56th Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington, D.C.
A Broward County high school chosen to represent the Sunshine State at President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration parade still needs help to make the trip to Washington DC a reality.
The Marching Trojans from J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs are still about $100 thousand short of the funds needed and they have only about 6 days left to raise the money.
The Marching Trojans were the only high school band from Florida to be chosen to march in the Inauguration parade. They were chosen from among nearly 14-hundred applicants.
"All the things going into putting a band together to send to a parade like this, is going to cost us in the neighborhood of $150 thousand," explain band director Neil Jenkins. The band needs that money by January 9th.
Jenkins says they're doing everything they can to keep the expenses low, like chartering four buses to D.C. The band has been doing everything they can to raise the cash, including playing outside some local restaurants.
Jenkins is hoping South Florida will reach out to make the trip happen. "These kids need help to get there and represent the state of Florida," he said, "so we're looking for anyone who can come forward to help us out."
Several students have already withdrawn from participating in the parade due to financial concerns. Jenkins fears many others may drop out.
Applebee's Restaurant is helping by sponsoring a BBQ Feast on Sunday, January 11 from 1:30 – 3:30 at the J.P. Taravella High School.
Click here if you'd like to help the band make the trip to Washington D.C. for the parade.
The Presidential Inaugural Parade will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2009 after President-Elect Barack Obama is sworn-in. The parade will take place along Pennsylvania Avenue between the U.S. Capitol Building and the White House.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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