The Russellville High School Band Boosters, a 501c3 non-profit organization, has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Carpenter Foundation. This booster organization applied for a grant to help support financially the needs of the instrumental music program of Russellville High School.

Leaders say the Russellville Band Boosters are very appreciative to the Russellville Board of Education for the financial support of the program. As boosters they felt they could also contribute to the financial needs of the program and applied for a grant from the Carpenter Foundation as a base amount of their $55,000 fund-raising 
program called “Tradition of Excellence-Honoring the Past and Supporting the Future.” The goal would be very difficult to reach had it not been for the major contribution from the Carpenter Foundation.  This contribution along with their community sponsor program will be the foundation of this year's fundraising program.

In 2007 the Kentucky Music Education Association (KMEA) made changes to the requirements of any band program that is part of the KMEA Sanctioned Marching Band Competitions. This new change requires each school participating to provide all the equipment needed to move all props, percussion pit equipment and other equipment to the competition field. This Carpenter Foundation grant award will allow the boosters to purchase truck and field equipment to be in compliance of this new policy.

This $55,000 fund raising program  will additionally allow the Marching Panthers to purchase other capital equipment needs and also to purchase new uniforms for next year.

"We are very excited to have this opportunity to help assist the RHS Marching Panthers and Winter programs. Anyone who is involved in a marching band program realizes the time committment and the expense of such a program. Most band booster organizations across the state of Kentucky will have an operating budget that will exceed $40,000 per year above any capital purchases," says Band Booster President Brad Priddy.

The band boosters will be having a major fund-raising sweep during the months of August through November. Some of the plans for this   “Tradition of Excellence” program will be selling memorabilia items made from the RMS old gym floor, grill-outs, car washes, and selling of Sol Azteca and Cattle Pen restaurant cards.

The Russellville Band Boosters have announced they will be hosting the “31^st Annual Show of Bands” the first weekend in October at Rhea Stadium.  The Boosters wanted to make this a part of the Tobacco Festival celebration this year as a “thank you” to the local community for their support. There are plans to have many area bands at this competition. They will also be selling RMS memorabilia at the Tobacco Festival this year.

The Marching Panthers have been part of the rich history of the city of Russellville since the 1930s. The boosters felt that it is important to honor those who have been such a key part of the Marching Panther program over the years and to help fulfill these needs of this program so that future generations could help continue the tradition.

The Boosters are also offering a community sponsorship program as part of the fund raiser program. For more information call 847-3580, email rhsbandnews@hotmail.com or visit their web site  www.rhsbandboosters.com.

The 2009-2010 Russellville Band Booster officers are: Brad Priddy- President, Theresa Shutt-Vice President, Pam Pate-Recording Secretary, Cindi Anderson-Treasurer and Vanessa Priddy, Public Relations.

"We are very thankful to the Carpenter Foundation and to our local businesses and alumni who contribute to the RHS Band Boosters Community Sponsor Program," says Vanessa Priddy.

"We encourge anyone who would like to contribute and be acknowledged as a community sponsor to call 847-3580 or visit our web site  www.rhsbandboosters.com (community sponsor page) and read about our
program and opportunity to support. We are also very excited about our new Russellville Band and Boosters Facebook page that will be ready soon. It will be a great place for Panther Music fans to connect!"