Editor’s Note:

If you want to give to the Orlando Community News Annual Essay Contest, benefiting the Meadowbrook Middle School Fine Arts Department’s Spring Trip to Washington, D.C., please note: the deadline is this Friday, April 25.

This is truly a grassroots effort and anyone can help by making a donation for the Essay Contest awards.

Here’s the deal: Band and chorus members at Meadowbrook (one of the two middle schools in the Pine Hills community) plan to travel to our nation’s capital and perform at the World War II Memorial in May. Some need help raising money to make the trip.

Several members of Meadowbrook’s band. OCN Photo

The Essay Contest will help students develop their reading and writing skills as well as motivate them with awards presented for first place (full cost of trip-$625), as well as second (up to $500 toward trip) and third place (up to $300 toward trip).

Many of the students have never traveled outside of the Orlando area so the trip will expose them to new places, experiences and dreams.

Let me tell you, these young performers are good! (I saw them perform recently a Wayne Densch YMCA event…and they rocked!)

Please consider donating to this effort. I am sure each young performer who ends up going, especially through this Essay Contest will appreciate it. (I’ve already received one letter of thanks from a student already…It almost brought me to tears!) You will feel good about giving to such a worthy cause and there is a good chance you’re see or hear your company name or your name announced or publicized in the local media!

Donations can be made payable to Meadowbrook Middle School Band and sent directly to the school: 6000 North Lane, Orlando, FL 32808 – Attn. Mario Ford, Director of Bands. You can reference: Essay Contest Award on your check.

For further information contact Mr. Ford at the school: 407-296-5130 ext. 5192228 or me at trish.martin@att.net. I will gladly make arrangements to pick up your donation!

Thanks and God Bless You All.

© Orlando Community News, 2014