Twin Cities Rotarians are seeking sponsors and supporters for the 29th annual Breakfast for the Bands coming up later this month, an effort that has raised a lot of money for the Fitchburg and Leominster high schools music programs over the years.
The yearly tradition co-chaired by the Rotary Club of Fitchburg and Rotary Club of Leominster began in 1995. While the location alternates between the two high schools, it is always held the Sunday before the yearly Thanksgiving Day football game between the two high school teams, a longstanding rivalry.
During the always well-attended Breakfast for the Bands affair the two high school bands take turns playing songs and there is a large spread of delicious food served by students and volunteers along with a 50/50 raffle and many raffle prizes up for grabs. This year it is being held on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Leominster High School (LHS), 122 Granite St., and tickets for $10 per person — children eight and under are free — can be purchased at the door or ahead of time at the high schools, Leominster and Fitchburg city halls, and by visiting paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MNY2Y5FM8ED48&source=qr.
With help from local businesses, ticket sales, and generous contributions, the Rotary clubs of Fitchburg and Leominster have been able to donate well over $130,000 to the two schools’ music programs through the Breakfast for the Bands. The two groups recently had their yearly joint luncheon at Appleseeds Restaurant at the Leominster Center for Technical Education Innovation at the high school, a student run culinary program.
At the meeting LHS Choir Director and music teacher Arthur Pierce led the students in singing the “Star Spangled Banner,” which Rotary Club of Fitchburg Secretary Karen Fusco said, “created an energized spirit for promoting the annual Breakfast for the Bands.”
“This event has brought together people of the Twin Cities area to enjoy a great breakfast, music, and fellowship,” the Fitchburg resident said of the popular fall occurrence. “The music directors for the respective high schools of Fitchburg and Leominster, Tabitha Greenlees and Robert Bergeron, made note of how important this event is to their music programs.”
Fusco shared that the funds raised through the Breakfast for the Bands help to provide the high schools music programs with opportunities to attend competitions, march in area parades, repair and replace instruments, supply uniforms, and support numerous other needs not provided by school funds.
A placemat ad or donated raffle items are always welcome to support the event. Those who would like to contribute to the Breakfast for the Bands effort and for more information can contact Leominster Rotarian Dean Valliere at 978-534-4637 or via email at [email protected].
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