This funding boost will help ensure that all students who have an interest in playing in the band have the opportunity to participate, regardless of their financial circumstances

CAMAS – The Camas High School marching band has received a generous donation of $10,000 from CBM Systems, an Oregon-based facilities management company and wholly owned subsidiary of Marsden Services. The check was presented by Executive Vice President Benjamin Reng at a special gathering of the band during school on Friday, Jan. 20. The Marsden enterprise donates 10% of its profits each year to community causes, including education and youth development, in the regions it serves.

This significant funding boost will help ensure that all students who have an interest in playing in the band have the opportunity to participate, regardless of their financial circumstances. Band requires an extra class fee for its students, plus extra fees and expenses to attend special events and the cost of possible instrument rentals or purchases. The band receives funding from the Camas School District and from fundraising by students and parents, but its costs have increased dramatically in recent years. In addition to travel, the band incurs expenses for purchasing, maintaining, and repairing instruments and uniforms.

The CHS band is a prominent presence in the Camas community, known and loved for their performance skill and discipline, bright uniforms, and enthusiasm. The marching/pep band, sometimes known as the Big Red Machine, keeps a busy schedule entertaining fans during home football, volleyball, and basketball games and is a welcome presence at several parades in the region. Band students also perform for the school graduation ceremony, the city’s holiday tree lighting event, and the Camas Days parade, as well as provide festive accompaniment during our district’s annual Stuff the Bus food drive collection day in December. 

This donation will help ensure that all members of the band can continue the group’s long tradition of fostering community pride and school spirit at events both in town and in the broader metro area. Camas High School staff and students, band families, and band director Richard Mancini are grateful for this generous donation and hope that it will benefit band students, and the community, for several years to come.

Information provided by Camas School District.