Beck’s Guitar Fundraiser

Hi everyone, this is Cheri, Beck's mom. And this is a fundraiser to help him with guitar. I’ve never created a fundraiser before and, apparently, I’ve been doing it wrong. After some revision, here is the TLDR version:

Financial Breakdown:

• Cost of NYC trip for Beck = $1595.00

• Cost of NYC trip for Cheri (to chaperone) = $1595.00

• Cost of new guitar = $700? (I don’t know)

• Cost of possible trip to New Orleans and/or somewhere else Beck’s sophomore and junior years = $900? (I don’t know)

• Total = $4790.00

Here is the original version:

Hi friends, this is a fundraiser for Beck. He’s been playing classical guitar for almost four years, and he’s good. He is one of a few freshmen to qualify for Chamber Ensemble, the highest level guitar class at McCallum, his fine arts high school.

I started this fundraiser because Chamber is traveling to New York City this spring. Our funds are modest, and we can’t afford to send him with his class. Beck qualifies for a scholarship, but students are only eligible for one scholarship during their four years of high school. Chamber is returning to NYC during Beck’s senior year, and I think missing a senior trip would be worse than missing a freshman trip. At least, I hope so because I declined this year’s scholarship and am gambling on a fundraiser instead.

What am I asking for? First, some understanding - it hurts my stomach to ask for money. Second, and more specifically, Beck needs $1595.00 to go to NYC. It’s a four-day trip (the trip’s package is listed below), and it looks fantastic.

Then I wondered, what if I broadened the scope of this fundraiser? You’re still reading, so maybe it’s plausible. Beck will have guitar class expenses for all four years of high school. We got his guitar for free from our neighborhood Buy Nothing Group. It’s fine, but he’s advancing beyond a beginner-level guitar. Sophomore and junior year trips are being planned. Nothing has been decided; however, New Orleans was mentioned. It’s impossible to estimate costs with this little information, so I made a guess and listed it above. If you have any insight from other school music programs, please feel free to share.

One final thing, if you know me, you know I’ve always wanted to live in NYC; you know my dream vacation is to spend two weeks in NYC and visit the Met every day, and you know that I love Beck more than anything. I would love to chaperone these kids on their trip. Here is the selfish part that I hesitate to ask out loud, if you’re feeling generous, I’d be incredibly grateful if you'd help me make this trip as well. Beck has never had the opportunity to travel. He’s been out of Texas once, and he’s never been on a plane. It’d mean a lot to me to share this experience with him (and a couple of dozen other guitar kids).

Figuring out a way for Beck to go on this trip has been incredibly stressful, and emotionally, it sucks. The thought of having to do this or something similar every year is overwhelming. If we raise funds above what Beck needs, I’ll donate them to McCallum’s Guitar Booster Club with the request that the money be earmarked for scholarships. We’re not the only family needing assistance, and we’re not the only family who will need help more than once. I can’t express how disheartening it is to learn that your kid, despite their hard work and dedication, might not be able to participate in this trip, or the next one.

Beck and I would appreciate any amount you can spare and as many social media and/or email shares as you can stomach. I’m determined to get Beck to NYC, and I am thankful for whatever help you’re able to give.

Thank you,

Cheri & Beck

Trip Package Includes:

• Round trip flights to New York City

• Professional tour manager with your group throughout the tour

• Three nights Hotel accommodation in midtown Manhattan

• Midtown Manhattan Walking Tour

• Admission to the observatory at Top of the Rock

• Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island Ferry Ticket

• Visit to the food court and shops at Brookfield Place overlooking the Hudson River

• Admission to the 9/11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center

• Visit to the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center

• Visit to Chinatown & Little Italy

• Broadway show ticket (rear mezzanine seating)

• Visit to Manhattan School of Music

• Admission to the Stage Door Tour at Radio City Music Hall

• Guided tour at Carnegie Hall

• Central Park Walking Tour

• Believe NYC Program (Includes a show, clinic and meet the artist)

• Admission to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)