Annual Claymont Choir fundraiser features mattress and bedding sale

Choir students at Claymont High School are planning a major fundraiser for Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the high school gymnasium. The gym is needed as the nature of the fundraiser requires a lot of space. The choir will sell mattresses and other bedding-related items.

The idea for the fundraising day came from a conference, said Steven Chambers, Claymont High School choir director.

“A colleague does this kind of fundraiser in Southern Ohio,” he said. “And he gave me the idea to try it last year. So that was the first year for it, and it turned out to be a good idea. It’s a way for us to raise a lot of money all in one day. We get a portion of the funds from each item that is sold. There are adjustable beds, beanbag chairs, bedding and pillows. It’s actually a full bedding store set up in the gym for the day. And again, we get the proceeds from sales that day.”

He said anything purchased that day, with the exception of small items like sheets or pillows, can be delivered to the buyer’s home.

“It sounded like a really cool idea when I found out how others were doing it, and no one else in the area does anything like this,” Chambers said. “Last year was very successful, and we hope to continue doing it into the future.”

In the first year, 2023, the choir realized more than $3,000. Chambers said they’re hoping to exceed that amount by at least 50% this year because the event is more widely known.

“A school choir program, especially one that’s growing as ours is, has a lot of needs,” Chambers said, “not just the robes we wear, but also attending many events. We send students across the state for numerous opportunities. Our fundraising helps to cover the fees of entering some of these events. The students also have the opportunity to attend honor ensembles. The school isn’t always able to fund all those things, so we supplement that with things like this fundraiser.”

Claymont High School choir member Cruz Vincente-Shondelmyer said he has greatly enjoyed his three years singing with the choir and all the opportunities it offers. He is a ninth-grade student at the school and sings tenor.

Ashton Mundell, also a singer with the Claymont High School choir, said the funds help with the things she loves about choir.

“It helps get our robes, we get to go on trips, we get new music, just all the things we need to make our choir great,” she said.

Mundell is a Claymont junior this year.

The choir will attend the third annual Marietta College honor choir and band festival in April, and a fine arts festival will be held at Claymont High School. Chambers said that festival is a coming together of all the fine arts programs at the school with the school wood shop program. A spring choir concert also is planned for later this year.

The choir tries to squeeze in several small community performances throughout the school year, he said. The choir also performs for high school graduation. Such events are made possible in part by the mattress fundraiser this month.

At the mattress sale, any form of payment is accepted, and financing will be available. A number of mattress and bedding options will be available.