Westfield High School Band Community Reaches out to Union Beach Band Community Hurt by Sandy

Westfield High School Band Community Reaches out to Union Beach Band Community Hurt by Sandy

I want to pass along another call for Sandy Relief, this one from Chris Vitale, director of bands for Westfield High School.

As I wrote earlier, the Westfield High School Parent Teacher Organization announced a call for support for two staff members who lost their homes and possessions in super storm Sandy. These staff members, a custodian and teacher, both live in southern Jersey where the effects of the storm were severe and have been aided by the WHS Helping Hands committee.

In identifying the above needs, the Westfield High School Band Community learned that a K-8 school in Southern New Jersey is suffering in a way that screams for help from caring musical families like ours!

Union Beach had some 200 homes wrecked by Sandy and another 1000 or more flooded by the sea water Sandy’s storm surge brought to shore.

The town’s Memorial School was also devastated, and the children lost both student-owned and school-owned band instruments. Despite budget crunches that have forced many schools to eliminate music, Memorial School has managed to run a music program, and the children are looking forward to playing a winter concert.

But now they need instruments to do so.

Because Union Beach is in a flood zone, the school is not eligible for insurance coverage.

Please consider donating a playable instrument you no longer use…or one that your kids have outgrown. Please spread the word. These kids need a break.

Westfield High School Marching Band

Here is a list of the musical instruments the children need:

2 Tenor Drums
4 Snare Drums
1 Tama Hi Hat
10 Flutes
10 Clarinets
1 Bass Clarinet
8 Alto Saxes
1 Tenor Sax
6 Trumpets
4 Trombones
1 Baritone

The Westfield PTSO is collecting donations and will drive all contributions down to the school in need.

This is an opportunity for one band community to help another in a time of need.  Let’s rise to the challenge so that the kids in Union Beach, like our kids in Westfield, can continue to make music. 

Questions about donations can be directed to the Westfield High School band parents association, whsbandparents@gmail.com or Chris Vitale, cvitale@westfieldnjk12.org.

If you have questions about relocating or need advice about housing in Westfield, NJ after Sandy, feel free to reach out to me. 

Scott Gleason

scott@luxuryhomesnj.com
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited

Questions: email the WHS PTSO at whsptso@westfieldnjk12.org.