The Scituate Middle School Jazz Band will be playing in a “Wig Out” fundraiser tonight to benefit cancer research.
WATD’s Lenny Rowe files this report.
Seventh and eighth graders in the Gates Middle School Jazz Band say “Fat Burger” by George Vincent is one of their favorite tunes.
At 6:30 tonight at the Rivershed restaurant in Scituate, they’ll be raising funds for the Rare Initiative, which benefits cancer research at Mass. General Hospital. For those unable to attend, they can donate here.
“Making a difference, it’s always been something that I’ve wanted to do, especially with this topic – rare forms of cancer,” said eighth-grader Will Larson, who plays saxophone for the band. “My grandmother had Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a rare type of blood cancer. Thankfully, she was able to beat it, but it’s still definitely worrying. I think it’s a huge issue, and something we should fight to help cure.”
Early in the winter, eighth-grade drummer E.K. Labadia wanted the band to perform at a restaurant, eventually, the band decided they would play their favorite song for a cause.
“It’s kind of nice to know, if you go to our other concerts, we’re performing for our parents, it’s great and all,” said Labadia. “When we perform [tonight], it has more of a meaning, than just entertainment.”
“It’s nice to know it’s going to a good cause.”
They didn’t have to look far for inspiration.
Michaela Whittaker, a 7th grader in the Concert Band, organized her own event, and raised more than $3,000 dollars for the Rare Initiative.
“First off, it’s just amazing to know that they were interested in doing this, and that they wanted to do it too,” said Whittaker. “It’s just a great feeling knowing that I’ve helped inspire something bigger, and that all of this money will be going to an amazing cause that will help hundreds, if not thousands of people.”
Whittaker found out about the Rare Initiative while watching television with her mother.
“I have been very passionate about fighting cancer a very long time, since I was six years old. Throughout my life I have known many, many people who have had cancer. I think it’s safe to say that almost all people in the world have been affected by cancer in some way.”
Seventh-grader Rose Lindblom plays trumpet for the band.
“It’s better to be in a band where you can be involved in everything, it’s just more fun,” said Lindblom. “It’s better to know that you’re doing jazz band for a good cause.”
Eighth-grader Conor Sullivan plays the tenor saxophone for the band. In the holiday band, they played for hospitals and nursing homes.
“It just makes you feel good knowing that you’re not just playing because you want to have fun or you want to play for entertainment,” said Sullivan. “It feels good to know that you’re helping people, or you’re using talent to bring people happiness and joy.”
Scituate Band Director Greg Lessard said the students are leading this effort. They have a fundraising goal of $1,000 dollars.
The entire band will have wigs for the event, the Rivershed restaurant will have a “Fat Burger” on the menu to help raise funds.
“I’ve been very fortunate. We’ve got a lot of amazing students here. They’ve had a phenomenal year. They truly care about each other and the world around them,” said Lessard. “They’re always looking to do good things. They’re really great kids.”
It all takes place tonight at 6:30 at the Rivershed Restaurant, 17 New Driftway, in Scituate,
More information about the Rare Initiative can be found here.
