High School Band Fundraiser
Walking into the Bettendorf High School football stadium Friday night was virtually like walking into a fair.
The Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation was selling raffle tickets for a car; MidAmerican Energy Co. was giving away T-shirts and a couple of free stadium blankets as well as energy-saving tips; the Student Hunger Drive was holding a silent auction; Mediacom was selling throws at the “Hit Me†cart for people to win a 42-inch plasma television; and the concession stands were filled to the brim with extra pork chops, hot dogs, brats and other food and drinks for a standing-room only crowd that easily topped the 8,000 mark.
Oh, it was also Senior Night.
And somewhere in there a football game between the unbeaten Bettendorf Bulldogs and North Scott Lancers was to be played.
The only thing missing this night was a Ferris wheel, as barkers hawked the raffles and the smells of the concession stands permeated throughout the stadium.
On a serious and touching note, a large group of luminaries was lighted in memory and honor of Grant Wood Elementary School teacher Karla Kunzman who died over the summer at the age of 29.
At the concession stand near the main entrance, Jim Ash watched over the huge propane smoker filled with pork chops and brats.
“The money from all the concessions goes to the band and instrument music programs,†he said, adding that he has two sons in the drum line, Jimi and A.J.
On a normal night at a game, between 1,000 and 2,000 sandwiches and hot dogs are sold, he said.
But this is no normal night, Ash said, adding that they doubled up on just about every item, including the popcorn. “We’ve been thinking about this game since the last one, two weeks ago,†he said.
“This is the biggest game this year,†said Jay Stratton, whose son Jon also is in the drum line.
Usually, Bettendorf games against Pleasant Valley and Assumption draw large crowds, “but they were away games this year,†said John Riches, whose son Jimmy also plays drums.
Bettendorf Athletic Director Mark Brooks marveled at the crowd.
“We haven’t had a great homestand this year,†he said, saying this game was “circled on the calendar.â€
What made it even more exciting was the fact that the Bulldogs and Lancers both were 8-0 going into the game. The conference championship was on the line.
Near the entrance to the stadium, Judi Pilcher, Diane Stroh and Jane Haedt, members of the Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation sold raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2006 Pontiac Solstice sponsored by Piehl Motors of Geneseo, Ill. Second prize was an 8-foot pool table sponsored by Pleasure Pools and Spas. Third prize was a 42-inch LCD rear projection television sponsored by Automated Lifestyles.
“We’ve sold about 3,000 tickets since June,†Stroh said.
Pilcher said the money raised goes to classroom grants to pay for materials or other items the district doesn’t pay for. The Foundation has purchased a camera for the school newspaper, and has funded trips for student council leadership conferences in Philadelphia and Chicago.
Kaitlin Welch, 17, and Ashley Lichtenberg, 17, both Bettendorf seniors, were among several students working the Student Hunger Drive silent auction.
“Everything is going great this year,†Welch said, adding that the auction is the student’s biggest fundraiser outside of canvassing neighborhoods and other events.
“We had 50 gift baskets and things to bid on,†Lichtenberg said.
“It’s great to see all the businesses get involved,†said Welch, saying that even Davenport businesses at NorthPark Mall were very generous.
At the Mediacom “Hit Me†cart, former Bettendorf softball standout Emily Morse bought a ball to throw in an effort to win a 42-inch high definition plasma television.
The former outfielder, who now attends Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, said she was on fall break and wanted to come to the big game, her first since she headed to college.
Still, she said, news of Bettendorf sports gets to her.
“I hear about it even at college,†she said.
With the crowd at fever pitch, the Bettendorf Marching Band, decked out in Halloween attire, with even a cookie monster directing, marched onto the field.
Screams reminiscent of Division I college games greeted both teams at the start.
In the end, it was the Lancers’ turn this night. North Scott defeated the home Bulldogs, 17-0.
But the season is not over for either team. With the high school playoffs starting Wednesday, there is the possibility of a rematch soon.
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More About Fund Raising
More About Band Fundraisers
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