Help Rebuild the Union Beach Memorial School Band
Union Beach Memorial School was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, and all the band instruments and sheet music were destroyed.
Unlike many wealthier school districts whose music programs have been eliminated due to a budget crunch, Memorial School has managed to maintain their program.
In this town where many of the students' homes have been destroyed, the children are looking forward to playing a Winter Concert. These kids need a break and some joy at holiday time. Please consider donating a playable instrument you no longer use or one that your kids have outgrown.
Instruments can be dropped off at the Union Beach Board of Education Office, 1207 Florence Ave., Union Beach.
They can also be mailed to that address to the attention of M. Metz, Music Teacher. If you will include your name and address with your donation, you will be sent a receipt for tax purposes.
Donations of Gift Cards will also will be appreciated for purchasing what is not donated. They can be mailed to the same address.
Here is a list of the instruments needed:
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 Horn
For questions and more info, please contact me at 732-583-4959, or RConte9@verizon.net. Please spread the word to friends and post this on your Facebook page.
Thank you very much.
Rosemary Conte
ca
11:47 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012
This was posted December 3rd, however weeks prior to this, I personally donated a number of the instruments from the above list which were dropped off at the school board - many of my friends did the same - along with money for this program. No one has yet to receive word of how many of the above list were left to receive and where the money was being used. Before ANY additional money and or instruments are dropped off - would SOMEONE in charge wiht accountability please let the public know how much money you have received and specifically which instruments are left? If very concerned that this situation has been exploited, when there are a number of places of absolute need that could receive funds otherwise if an accurate picture were conveyed. Please update this post prior to accepting further financial consideration from the community.
rosemary conte
1:29 am on Saturday, December 15, 2012
I volunteered to help rebuild what Sandy destroyed. I have received NO money or musical instruments. I put my personal and work life aside Dec. 3, to acquire what was needed by the Union Beach Memorial School band. The music teacher says the band now has all the instruments it needs. Money donated will be used to rebuild the band's music library, to replace lost instruments, for repairs and other band-related expenses. I tell callers how to make out their checks so that the music dept. gets the money and where to mail them. I've told donors to include their names and address with instrument so there can be follow up. I have no responsibility beyond that. Facebook was the primary means of getting out the word and I have posted that the band now has enough instruments. I shall post to Patches as well. I don't know any more than the skeptical writer above. I began my volunteer effort with a sense of trust, that the music teacher was focused on rebuilding the music dept. I understand the concern of the poster. I would be sick to learn that the enormous amount of work I have done to help the school had been corrupted. However, I don't think that is the case. I will forward your post to the music teacher, Mally Metz, and to Brian Walsh, the Memorial School Principal.
richard boniecki
10:19 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Ca - I feel the same way. I donated (check) and never received or have seen an update.
I feel bad for Rosemary,. She went out of her way now she is stuck in the middle.
If Mally Metz or Brian Walsh could update this post it would be helpful.
rosemary conte
10:27 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Richard, thank you for your comments. I shall forward your post to music teacher, Mally Metz and to the Memorial School Principal.
Mally Metz
9:49 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I would like to thank everyone that has reached out to help the Memorial School Band in Union Beach. We have received many instruments and generous donations. The school district has finally finished the process of setting up a foundation in order to keep track of the cash donations. Up until now, none of the checks have been cashed. Now that the foundation is in place, checks will be deposited into the band account. Letters of receipt and thanks will be mailed this week to all of the donors who's names and addresses were available. This has been a very difficult time for the teachers, staff and students of Memorial School. Things are far from "back to normal". Our students are being housed in 4 different locations. The students in grades K-5 were moved again to a different location after the holiday break. In order to see all of my music students I am dividing my time between 3 different locations. My top priority is taking care of my student's needs. If responses to donations haven't been timely enough I apologize.