The Talawanda Band Boosters is hosting its first ever mattress sale from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the high school gym.
The Talawanda Band Boosters is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the numerous bands Talawanda offers its 6-12 grade students: concert band, marching band, jazz band, steel band and indoor percussion.
“We see the mattress sale as a win-win opportunity for the band boosters, the families of our students, and the students themselves,” Band Booster President Glenn Patt said in a press release.
For seven hours, the gym will be transformed into a mattress showroom selling new name brand mattresses at a discounted price. Consumers could save up to 50% off the retail price. Just as any mattress selling facility, all sizes and types will be available with a factory warranty. Delivery and layaway will also be options.
Buyers can pay with cash, check or credit card.
A flat rate will be given to the boosters depending on the size of the mattress sold. Money earned from fundraisers typically go toward band uniforms, financial assistance for families who cannot afford to pay band fees, a portion of music in the park fees, instrument repairs and much more.
Ann-Eliza Lewis, fundraising chair for the Talawanda Band Boosters, said there are a few other possibilities for the funded money though the boosters haven’t reached a consensus yet.
“The middle school really needs new Timpani Drums and they’re really expensive so we’re hoping maybe we can raise enough money to buy them,” Lewis said. “It takes pressure off the school system also because there is a school budget, but we can make sure that if the school can’t cover it the kids don’t have to go without.”
Other possibilities include replenishing the uniform fund and saving the money to purchase a new trailer for storing some of the instruments during travel.
Preparing the fundraiser didn’t cost the boosters a penny thanks to Ultimate Fundraising Solutions, a company built on the mattress fundraiser concept. The company provided the mattresses, advertisements and will handle the selling of the mattresses for the event and the boosters provided the space.
Picking the right mattress is a hands-on experience which will not be forfeited during the fundraiser. Mattresses will be available for potential buyers to lie down on and test the feel and firmness for each model.
