London Bound Carter High Band Hosts Knoxville, Tennessee, Christmas Auction Fundraiser

How do you give almost 200 kids the chance of the lifetime?

Prepare them well... Look for an opening... Arrange an audition for the Lord Mayor of London... Make travel, food and transportation arrangements for 200 students with instruments....

Mr. Matt McCurry of the Carter High Band makes this sound almost routine. He is the band director of the 200-member strong high school band. Nestled in East Knox County the band is a crowning jewel for Carter High School. Now, the group plans to march their way into the heart of London for the 2009 New Year's Parade.

To get there will require a carefully choreographed effort involving band members, Knox County and the Strawberry Plains community.

Tonight will be one of your first opportunities to help.

Now in its 3^rd year, the Carter Band Christmas Auction takes place tonight, Thursday, November 20, 2008. The auction is held in the high school cafeteria at 102 Carter School Rd., Strawberry Plains, TN 37871.

The silent auction fun begins at 6:00 pm. It is immediately followed by a live auction at 7:00 pm. This is the perfect place to do your holiday shopping and help a cause at the same time!

What can you find at the auction? Just about anything!

Current items that will be up for bids include UT Memorabilia, restaurant gift certificates, overflowing theme baskets, movie certificates and more! Last year's hot items list included gold jewelry, signed logo items, a grandfather clock and Lenox house ware pieces.

There truly is something for every person, taste and budget!

Being a band member is an expensive commitment in terms of time and money. Each student is expected to pay their fair share of band expenses of $175 per child. There are also school fees of up to $150 per child. Then, there is money for necessities like reeds, special shoes and lessons. On top of these expenses, there are the trips, which make the Carter High Band a focal point in East Knox County. Monies raised through fundraising efforts go first toward each child's fair share and any remaining funds are applied to trips.