West Salem Figaro’s Gives Back to Community School
(Salem, Oregon) – Figaro’s Pizza in West Salem, announced its participation in supporting H.E. L.P., The Charity. H.E.L.P. stands for Helping Education with Love & Pizza; a perfect fit for Figaro’s. By honoring the non-profit organization, Figaro’s ensures that a portion of each dollar spent at Figaro’s Pizza-West Salem is donated right back into the local community schools.
Chris and Brenda Wylie, West Salem Figaro’s Owners/Operators are honored to give back to the West Salem community. As local business owners they feel a responsibility to support the community that supports them and their business. The Wylie’s have owned the West Salem Figaro’s Franchise since 2008, but Figaro’s has been supporting the West Salem community for nearly 27 years.
Figaro’s West Salem has been able to honor several H.E.L. P. Grant Applications over the past year due to the continuous support of the community through purchases made at Figaro’s. On April 9th, Brenda Wylie, owner of Figaro’s West Salem proudly presented a check for $1,000, to Mr. Rundquist, the Band Teacher at Walker Middle School. While his students would like to see him use the funds to purchase pizza, Mr. Rundquist has plans to replace some outdated equipment.
Many schools are facing difficult decisions in making cuts as the budget crises continue due to the recession. Mr. Danner, Walker Principal is very grateful and pleased with the support to the music program the West Salem Schools received from local businesses and parents. Without the support they would not be able to continue the same high quality program that they currently offer.
Figaro’s Pizza founded in 1981, a Salem Based company has been recognized as “the best pizza you can have at home.” Offering pizzas baked in the restaurant or on oven ready trays for baking at home. In addition to pizza Figaro’s also offers calzones, lasagna, salads, breadsticks, chicken wings and soft drinks. The newest addition to the Figaro’s product line is a Gluten Free Crust for those suffering from wheat allergies. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.figaros.com
Dear Figaro’s ,
As you probably already know, West Salem high school has a very successful band program. Last spring, both our symphonic band AND wind ensemble qualified to compete at the state level. Since only one band per school is permitted to go, our Wind Ensemble went and easily took first place. This year, our marching band went to four competitions and won first place at all of them. Our percussion section, which I am a proud member of, also won the drum trophy, naming us the best percussion section in the northwest.
If you didn’t know already, we practice a LOT. If you’ve ever been in West Salem during the summer, we are easily heard by everyone in the area. We have 11 hour rehearsals in the summer, 3 hours after school at least 2 if not 3 times a week, and a 7 hour rehearsal every Saturday. Winter Percussion, (which is like marching band, but with percussion instruments) practices 3 times a week right now, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-9 and Saturdays from 10-5. Wind ensemble practices are at least once per week outside of class for a minimum of 2 hours, and private lessons once a week for an hour.
Music, honestly, is my life. I have no idea what I would do if I had nothing to do with it. Every day I wake up and my first thoughts are always centered on percussion. I sit in school all day, and almost every kid and teacher around me has been annoyed in one way or another by my incessant tapping. I first started out playing music when I was six, taking piano lessons from my grandma, and even then I knew I was hooked on music. I played trumpet for 4 years, from 5th to 8th grade, but decided that I really wanted to try percussion in high school. So far, it’s been the best experience of my life. I am a sophomore this year, and after starting out last year, I would say it’s fair to say that I’ve improved a lot. I just auditioned and made it into wind ensemble, the honor band at West Salem high school, I was the assistant section leader in the pit for marching band this year, and will now be the section leader in Winter Percussion. I will be playing a Marimba solo in our show titled “Perseverance”. I will be trying out for all-city honor band in January; I also have my own marimba solo on the side for solo ensemble called “Northampton”, which I work on in my private lessons. I will be playing the snare drum in the Christmas parade, and I am a member of the Christmas percussion group at West, which will be helping to fundraise for our Winter Percussion trip to California. I played tenor drums in the rose parade last year, and before that I played drum set for Winter Percussion my freshman year.
As you can tell, I am VERY invested in music; practicing almost constantly, whether it be school related or on my own just to get better. I am determined to be the best percussionist West Salem high school has ever seen, and I love music more than life itself. However, all of this comes with a price. Just participating in the various activities that I do is very expensive, and even more so now that we lost all funding for the music department. A lot of money goes to things such as Marching Band fees, Winter Percussion fees, private lessons and especially the trip we plan on taking in April for Wind Ensemble. We will be performing in a competition in San Francisco, and of course we plan to blow everybody away and win first place by a landslide.
I know that I am requesting a lot, asking for money in an already poor economy, but I really love music, and the only way I can continue is if I have sufficient funds to do it. All that I ask is that you read over this letter and consider sponsoring me. My name is Robby Carr, and if you would like to know more, feel free to contact me at: Robbycarr1414@gmail.com , I would be more than happy to answer any questions or comments, and thank you very much for taking time out of your day read this letter and remember, any amount of money that you can donate helps!
Sincerely,
Robby Carr
West Salem Music Boosters-to Robby Carr’s account: @
1776 Titan Drive NW Salem, OR. 97304
Dear Mr. Carr –
Thank you for the letter. We appreciate hearing from all of our customers.
H.E.L.P., the Charity gladly gives out grants twice a year. In order to qualify for a grant, please complete the electronic application here: http://www.helpthecharity.net/grant-application
Thanks again. We appreciate your business.
Sincerely,
H.E.L.P., The Charity Board