Fundraising is no new thing for band members. When Greenbrier High School clarinet section leader Haley Van Pelt was injured in a car wreck in July, her friends, bandmates and churches mobilized to raise money for hospital bills.
Today, band members will collect donations at Greenbrier homerooms, drum major Michael Bailey said. Haley is in serious condition at Medical College of Georgia Hospital, where she has been since the July 22 wreck.
When band practice resumes Aug. 18, members will march with an empty space they hope Haley will return to fill.
Their fundraising efforts have been appreciated by Haley's family, said her mother, Lexie.
"If you give kids an opportunity to help somebody else, it gives them an opportunity to feel better," she said.
Ricky Bubier, 18, a 2009 graduate of Greenbrier, organized two car washes and has placed three donation jars in restaurants to raise money for Haley. The second car wash, held Sunday, raised $1,194, bringing the total to $1,983 from those efforts.
"I wasn't content with just sitting around and waiting for news," Mr. Bubier said.
Michael, one of Haley's "best band friends" since freshman year, said being in the band bonds members.
"When you join band, you gain 150 friends," he said.
Paige Cassara, 16, a Greenbrier junior and a baritone saxophone player in the band, participated in Sunday's car wash.
She said the Van Pelt family has given a lot to the band. Bill Van Pelt is acting president and Mrs. Van Pelt was assistant treasurer last year for the band boosters.
"We figured we do car washes for band, why not do car washes for Haley?" Paige said.
Members of the Evans High School band sent flowers to the hospital for Haley, and the Greenbrier cheerleaders sent snacks, Paige said.
Other organizations Haley has been involved with, such as Burns Memorial United Methodist Church and Wesley United Methodist Church's youth group, have brought meals to the family each day, Mrs. Van Pelt said. Her school and summer league swim team at Woodbridge have taken care of things the family has needed.
"We believe in people and we believe in God; we believe this is how he works a lot of times to help people," Mrs. Van Pelt said.
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
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FOOTBALL PLAYER'S ABSENCE FELT
Greenbrier High School also felt the absence of 17-year-old Chris Smith, who drowned July 18 in Thurmond Lake. A banner in memory of the football player hangs on the fence outside the locker room where he would have gathered with teammates during football season. He was expected to start for the Wolfpack and is missed by his teammates.
"Especially at football practice," said junior Beau Allen, 16. "You know he's not there."
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