By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Thompson High School’s Marching Southern Sounds band is about one-third of the way through its fundraising goal for new uniforms, and is getting help from local businesses such as Dairy Queen and Belle Foods.

The band has been working for the past several months to raise about $70,000 to replace the organization’s current uniforms, some of which were purchased in the early 1990s, and has raised about $23,000 toward the goal so far.

“It’s really going quite well so far,” said THS Band Booster Fundraising Coordinator Kelly Drake. “We’re almost a third of the way there.”

THS Director of Bands Jon Bubbett previously said the band must put down a $35,000 deposit to order the new uniforms, and must pay the balance before the uniforms are delivered.

“We’ve been saying that the first half will be easier to raise than the second half. We’ve got to work to keep it going,” Bubbett said.

Several local organizations and individuals are helping the band to reach the $70,000 goal. The Alabaster Dairy Queen is running a fundraiser through Dec. 9, and is looking to raise $10,000 to donate to the band.

Through the fundraiser, patrons can eat at the restaurant anytime through Dec. 9 and mention they are there to support the THS band. Patrons can then turn in their receipt to the restaurant or the school, and Dairy Queen will donate 30 percent of the ticket to the THS band.

“We have seen first hand when other school systems have special needs (and) the community steps up and makes a difference,” said Alabaster Dairy Queen owner Aimee Komonce. “We want to personally make sure our community does the same and do right by our kids.”

On Saturday, Dec. 22, members of the THS band will also be bagging groceries and carrying them to cars at Alabaster’s Belle Foods store at 509 Highway 119 South. All money raised during the event will benefit the uniform fund.

The band has also received donations from state Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, and some of Alabaster’s City Council members, Bubbet said.

To contribute to the uniform fundraiser, contact Bubbett at 682-5700.