PECHS Band Is Winner of the Third Annual Community Service Grant

The Rotary Club of Farmville awarded its Third Annual Community Grant this year to the Prince Edward County High School Band to fund a program to “Amplify the Band.”

In an effort to increase engagement and satisfaction across all segments of the community, the band will be purchasing a portable PA system capable of supporting the full band’s sound to draw attention and focus at home football games, competitions, and other community events. The system will include loudspeakers, speaker carts, subwoofers, and associated equipment. 

This year the Club was blessed with four outstanding grant applications totaling requests for $30,000 in funding. The organizations submitting grant applications included:

• Piedmont Senior Resources
• Farmville Fire Department Auxiliary
• PECHS Marching Band
• Centra Health

The Club accepted applications for the Annual Community Service Grant from organizations whose activities promote and enhance the quality of life for citizens of the Town of Farmville/Prince Edward County but may also have a greater footprint in the region for their project. Organizations must be not-for-profit, and benefit local citizens. The grant is a contribution of up to $7,500.

It is preferred that the grant be used in the following manner: as seed money to start a “bricks and mortar” or equipment project, and not for general or operational expenses; however, it is not the intention of Rotary to exclude a worthwhile and deserving project.

According to Club President Douglas Stanley, “Our Club is extremely proud to support the PECHS Band’s efforts to improve their sound and performance capabilities and the overall performance experience that they provide. It is well known that music has the potential to help students succeed in school, build self-confidence, and create leaders and well-rounded young people. Learning through music has been shown to improve student academic performance, increase attendance, and improve test scores.”

According to PECHS Band Director Hallie Watson, “This grant will allow the PECHS Marching Band to improve the quality of our performances. We appreciate The Farmville Rotary Club’s investment in the current and future band students and their ability to effectively reach their audience.”

Prince Edward County Public School Interim Superintendent Dr. Joseph Cox added, “On behalf of the Prince Edward County High School, we would like to thank the Rotary Club of Farmville for the Community Grant Award for our high school band to purchase a sound system. This will benefit our band students and our future audiences, and we are very grateful for this award.”

In addition to the $7,500 grant, the Club also awarded $3,000 to grant finalist the Farmville Fire Department Auxiliary to help purchase an inflatable fire house to educate children and adults on the do’s and do not’s of getting out of a burning house or building. The project will help to save lives, by educating citizens on the correct methods to exit a structure safely.

The Rotary Club would like to thank its Club FY2024-2025 sponsors, whose support enables the Club to make an impact on the Farmville-Prince Edward County community. Sponsors are listed in the sidebar.