Tusky Valley Band and Choir Boosters to host first rummage sale Oct. 25

The Tusky Valley Band and Choir Booster Club will hold its first ever rummage sale and bake sale Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Tusky Valley Community Center’s gym in the old high school at 2637 Tusky Valley Road, Zoarville.

Tabitha Alleshouse, president of the club, said proceeds from the sale will support the band and choir trip to Disney World in the spring 2027.

“Without knowing exactly what dates we are going and what airfares will be, I’m estimating it will cost around $2,000 per student,” said Alleshouse.

Alleshouse said the club has to start planning two years in advance because there are only so many fundraisers students and parents can be expected to support.

“Also, with the rummage sale, we are trying to find alternative ways to raise money that doesn’t involve direct selling of a product from an outside company,” said Alleshouse, which give parents and other family members a break from buying more expensive products that only give the students a percentage of the sales.

At the same time, the club also will hold a bake sale with all items sold on a donation only basis.

Looking for donations

The club will be in need of donated items to sell at the rummage sale. However, items can only be dropped off the two days before the event due to the gym being used by other organizations. Drop off times are 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.

Desirable items include gently used clothing, toys, games, tools, home decor, sports equipment, small household appliances. Items which cannot be accepted include car seats, bikes, large appliances, furniture, tires, paint or other liquids or hazardous materials, extremely worn clothing and mattresses.

A flyer with details can be found on the Tusky Valley Band’s Facebook page. Questions may be sent to TVBandChoirBooster@gmail.com.

The club supports both band and choir in grades seven through 12, and assists if there are special needs for the fifth and sixth grade bands, Alleshouse said.

“That could include helping pay for instruments, uniforms, and fees for special classes or competitions the band or choir may be participating in,” said Alleshouse. “Pretty much anything not covered by the school district, we try to assist with, if not paying for all of it at least paying for a portion.”

For those whose band or choir days were decades ago, things have changed dramatically. Not only have costs increased, but today’s school bands and choirs perform at a far more professional level than in years past.

Because of that, students don’t always have to buy their own instruments.

“Many do,” said Allesford, “but we want to make music accessible to everyone, even students who can’t necessarily afford to purchase an instrument.”

Allesford said the quality of the instruments is important for producing a high quality sound, and the tuba one plays in the concert band may not be the same kind of tuba needed in a marching band.

It’s Allesford’s first year as president of the club, although she was a member before this year.

It’s Allesford’s first year serving as president of the club, although she was a member prior to this year.

“Actually, the whole music program has a lot of new people in new roles,” she said.

She’s referring to Stephen Tripp, who moved from assistant high school band director to head band director following Merri Gensley’s retirement last year. Also new to the program are assistant band director and middle school band director Elyce Enrique, and choir director John Warner.

“I’ve been around other booster clubs, and ours really does try to go above and beyond to make sure we have plenty of resources for anything the band or choir might request,” said Alleshouse. “I’m looking forward to a good year growing with everyone.”