Joe Manning, member of Cushing's Masonic Lodge makes a surprise visit to Studio B during Angela Watson's update on the Ripley School Band's upcoming trip to Pearl Harbor in December.
On the schedule for a Wacky Wednesday episode of the Donna and Molly show as a update on the Ripley School Band's ongoing fundraiser to Pearl Harbor, Angela Watson made a trip from Ripley and into Studio B of the KUSH Radio station. Angela has been corresponding with the KUSH Girls on the progress of the fund raising efforts of Ripley's upcoming band trip.
As Angela and her guests arrived, we had another arrival into the station, Joe Manning, member of the Cushing Masonic Lodge, who simpley popped in -- unannounced and asked if he could have a few minutes of the air time during Angela's time slot. As Angela and I sat down to get the latest on the band and their upcoming trip, we invited Joe into the studio. In his hand, was a copy of the latest updated story printed from our website, and Joe made an announcement that stunned Angela, myself and everyone in the radio station. The local Masonic Lodge members had read about the band's efforts to raise money for the historical event slated for December 7, 2011 - the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. As a group, the Cushing Masonic Lodge made the decision to donate to this 32 member school band's efforts, to the tune of $1,000! Talk about a jaw dropping moment - a moment of joy - and a moment I will long remember as I am sure the Ripley School Band will never forget - I was once again reminded that
our little radio station can sometimes become a big part of the BIG picture for folks in our communities and beyond.
Trying to recover as Joe left Studio B, Angela went on to let our listening audience know that this group is now approximately $5,000 away from what has been close to a $60,000 fundraiser! The Ripley School Band led by Kent Taylor, consists of grades eighth through twelveth and each member has worked long and hard to raise the funds to attend this historic event.
Only one of thirteen bands chosen across America to attend this event, these kids have studied the Pearl Harbor attack in detail, so that when they arrive, they truly know the meaning of the events that took place leading up to this event and the impact of what happened on the morning of December 7, 1941, when a surprise attack by the Japanese naval aviation against the American held island of Oahu and Pearl Harbor thrust the United States into World War II.
There are a couple of more opportunties for this group to raise these funds - as time is drawing to a close to make that last installment for the trip on November 1. The next big fundraising event will be held this Saturday, October 15 at Atwoods in Stillwater at 8 am. Currently, the band members are in need of new/good conditon donated items for this sale. You can take your donations to the Ripley High School Band Room. The band members will be on hand to serve up hot dogs and school spirit at Atwoods and KUSH invites you to go and see this enthusiastic group of kids in action!
Yes, you still have time to be a part of something that will forever be in the memories of these 32 band members. Something they will cherish and have a sense of pride in from being a part of the "BIG" picture of an event never to be forgotten. A trip that they will carry with them as they each branch out into their own lives after graduating from Ripley, they will forever remember how "working together" makes anything possible and that freedom comes at a cost - and veterans hold a special place in the hearts of all Americans!
The staff at KUSH Radio Station will keep our listeners and website readers updated on the kids from Ripley as their last minute fund raisers come to a close and Angela has promised to take lots of pictures and give us the details of the trip to share with all of those who were a part of helping this great group of kids do something that some might have thought was impossible.
If you would like more information on how you can help - contact the Ripley School Band Director Kent Taylor, at:1-405-334-1735 or email: ripley2ph@yahoo.com or contact Angela Watson by email: angnj@sbcglobal.net
Visit the band's facebook page today at: Ripley Oklahoma (Ripley Pearl Harbor Trip)
Winds from the North at 9.2 gusting to 17.3 MPH (8 gusting to 15 KT)
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