FORT WALTON BEACH — Choctawhatchee High School’s football team won’t face its second-round playoff game Friday without a bit of the home crowd, thanks to donations.
After learning Tuesday evening that the band didn’t have the money to make the short trip to Navarre High School for the Region I-6A semifinal, members of the Choctawhatchee Style Marchers Alumni Association stepped forward to pay for the two school buses.
“The response was just overwhelming. There was literally no questioning on the part of the alumni,” said Gareth Stearns, a member of the association who oversees the group’s Facebook page.
Less than 24 hours after putting up a request for donations, members raised $1,100, more than enough to cover the $800 trip.
Stearns said securing funding for trips was one of the reasons they started the association nearly two years ago.
Band Director Jay McArthur said the program typically doesn’t budget for playoff performances.
“We prefer to budget for things we’re really sure about,” he said.
The leftover money will be used either to help pay for travel to the next playoff game if Choctaw wins Friday night or to help cover travel expenses down the road, Stearns said.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.
