Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit

Our Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit celebrated our program’s tradition while raising support for the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We transformed fundraising into an innovative community event that united students, alumni, families, and supporters for an evening of music, storytelling, and connection. The highlight was an 80+ member alumni band performing with current Blue Raiders, conducted by LD Bell’s first director, Jerry Longwell. The event raised over $14,000, strengthened alumni ties, expanded community support, and ensured every student could participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Our objectives for the Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit were to welcome alumni back to LD Bell before campus renovations change its character, and to honor our shared history. We sought to connect alumni with current students, bridging old and new while reinforcing a strong sense of belonging. We also aimed to raise critical funds for our trip to the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, highlight the band’s rich tradition of excellence, strengthen community relationships, and create an innovative fundraising model that could inspire future advocacy efforts.

Our advocacy initiative intentionally reached students, parents, and the broader community. For current students, the Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit provided an opportunity to be actively involved in an event that directly supported their once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Macy’s Parade. Parents served as the backbone of the project, leading planning, coordinating logistics, and running the event from start to finish. The alumni community responded enthusiastically, returning to perform and reconnect, while the surrounding community came forward with generous donations and support. Our Legacy Reunion proved what can happen when students, parents, alumni, and the community rally behind a shared vision.

Our initiative spanned nearly a year. After learning of our Macy’s selection in mid-2024, we built a fundraising plan that included a spring 2025 benefit event. In December, our committee began alumni outreach and fundraising, though recruitment was slow at first. By April, we rebranded the event, streamlined communication, and reduced ticket prices by half, which doubled sales overnight. We also offered exclusive perks to early buyers. These adjustments energized participation, grew alumni sign-ups, and ensured the Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit became both a meaningful celebration and a successful fundraiser.

The Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit was truly a collaborative effort.

Event Coordinator – Oversaw planning from start to finish, coordinating with partners, parents, alumni, and students.

Director of Bands – Led the alumni concert by securing alumni sign-ups, coordinating music, and bringing in invested partners to conduct and speak.

Band Booster 1st VP of Fundraising and Sponsorships – Managed communication with sponsors and partners and assisted with day-of execution as well as overall event planning guidance and support.

HEB ISD Director of Visual and Performing Arts – Helped rebrand the event, provided vital community relations support, and spoke during the program.

Alumni Supporter – Supplied event recording and managed audiovisual needs during the reception.

L.D. Bell Band Booster Treasurer – Provided financial oversight and budget support.

Band Parent and HEB ISD Teacher – Engaged sixth-grade students to inflate balloons used in the event décor.

Alumni and current band parents – day-of support and guidance during planning

Countless other band parents, alumni, and students – Assisted with logistics, ticketing, food service, silent auction hosting, and general event support. Together, these individuals dedicated months of preparation and countless volunteer hours, ensuring the event not only ran smoothly but also achieved its fundraising and advocacy goals.

To bring the Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit to life, we relied on a combination of digital tools, community resources, and volunteer support.

For planning and coordination, we used Google Drive and shared documents to track logistics, budgets, and sign-ups. Canva and Adobe Creative Suite supported graphic design for promotional materials, while social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram) served as our primary tools for alumni recruitment, community promotion, and storytelling. We also used Google Forms to collect alumni information, gather photos and stories, and manage event registrations.

For fundraising resources, we relied on silent auction donations from local businesses, alumni families, and community partners. Sponsorship support was secured through direct outreach, personal connections, and alumni advocacy. The decision to adjust ticket pricing and offer early-buyer perks proved to be one of our most effective fundraising strategies.

Our event resources combined creativity with practicality. We used borrowed school facilities, decorations supplied or crafted by parents and students, and audiovisual equipment from alumni volunteers. A sixth-grade class even provided labor by inflating balloons for event décor. Volunteers supplied everything from food to photography, ensuring the event remained budget-conscious while still polished and impactful.

Ultimately, our most powerful resource was people—students, parents, alumni, and community members who gave their time, skills, and energy. With their help, we transformed basic tools and grassroots resources into a professional, innovative event that raised over $14,000 and strengthened the foundation for future advocacy efforts.

To bring the Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit to life, we relied on a combination of digital tools, community partnerships, and volunteer support. With under $2,000 in expenses, we generated over $14,000 in support—proof that innovation and community investment can multiply impact.

For planning and promotion, we used Google Drive for logistics, Adobe Creative Suite for design, and social media platforms for alumni recruitment and community outreach. Google Forms helped us collect alumni information, stories, and registrations, keeping everything organized and accessible.

For fundraising, silent auction items were donated by alumni, parents, and local businesses. Sponsorships were secured through direct outreach and alumni advocacy. Adjusting ticket pricing and offering early-buyer perks proved especially effective, doubling sales almost overnight.

Our event resources blended creativity with practicality. School facilities were repurposed into performance and reception spaces. Décor was largely student- and parent-created, including balloon installations inflated by a sixth-grade class. Audiovisual support came from alumni volunteers, and food, photography, and décor were provided at little or no cost through community partnerships.

Most importantly, our greatest resource was people—students, parents, alumni, and community members who contributed their time, talents, and networks. By leveraging free tools, donated materials, and volunteer expertise, we transformed limited funds into a professional, impactful event. This innovative use of resources not only stretched every dollar but also deepened ownership and pride across our community, creating a model of advocacy that was both cost-effective and inspiring.

Shorty’s Party Shop Treat Wall, Greenery Wall, Silver Wall, plus balloons $250.00

Moore Rental Pipe & Drape, Cocktail Tables $667.40

Sticky Brand Stickers for Donors $55.62

Amazon Supplies #1 Tablecloths, Decor items $201.92

Word Cutouts $5/each

T-Shirt Blanks Alpha Broder (with return policy for what we don’t sell) $360.26

T-Shirt DTF Transfers 78 Transfers w/3 Designs $109.98

Dollar Tree Supplies for food tables $37.89

Dollar Tree Supplies #2 Additional Supplies needed $27.06

Sam’s Club Syrup, Paper Goods $66.90

Sam’s Club Veggie Trays $107.66

Amazon Supplies #2 Balloon Arch & Straws $36.78

Amazon Supplies #3 Tissue Paper & Table Easels for Silent Auction $30.25

Amazon Supplies #4 Drink Pumps & Silver Balloons $20.54

Restaurant Depot – Flavor Syrups $24.46

Balloonique Arch Balloons $19.45

TOTAL $1,951.72

as of 5/7/25

Sales Totals:

Cheddar Up $8,885.00

Pay Pal $4,503.17

Cash $2,784.00

Total Raised $16,172.17

TOTAL RAISED $14,220.45

Our Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit was not without challenges, but each obstacle ultimately strengthened our approach.

One of the biggest hurdles was the lack of an alumni database. With no formal system to reach former members, recruitment started slowly. We relied on social media, word-of-mouth, and personal connections to build our own list. A tremendous boost came from the former Director of Bands, who spent the weeks leading up to the event posting old photos and videos on social media. His efforts generated excitement, re-engaged alumni, and had a huge impact on participation.

Another challenge was the need to rebrand midway through planning. Our original promotion struggled to gain traction, so in April, we changed the event name, simplified communication, and reduced ticket prices. This shift doubled ticket sales almost overnight and energized alumni sign-ups.

Finally, we navigated weather concerns that could have impacted attendance. By creating flexible backup plans and leaning on our strong network of volunteers, we reassured guests that the event would succeed regardless of conditions.

Each of these challenges reinforced the importance of adaptability, persistence, and creativity. What began as obstacles became opportunities to learn, improve, and ultimately create a stronger and more meaningful event.

Our advocacy initiative was highly effective, both financially and culturally. The Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit raised over $14,000 while spending less than $2,000, a clear indicator of impact and efficiency. Beyond the numbers, the event re-created the culture of the LD Bell Band and engaged attendees in meaningful, memorable ways.

We welcomed over 350 guests, immersing them in experiences that tied directly to our history and future. We offered show-themed sodas inspired by past productions, a make-and-take t-shirt station, and an interactive beanie-and-scarf purchase that provided alumni with a set while gifting a matching set to students for the Macy’s Parade. Alumni and families enjoyed two NYC-themed photo ops and historical photos dating back to the 1960s. All of our preserved uniforms were displayed, and a special banner was signed to hang in the band hall after renovations—creating a permanent legacy marker.

The silent auction further reinforced the theme, with creative items such as pillows and framed art made from old uniforms, which proved hugely popular. We also introduced alumni-only donation levels, ensuring those who returned felt their contribution was uniquely valued.

Effectiveness was also measured by participation: over 80 alumni performed, more than 350 people attended, community members donated generously, and parents powered the event from start to finish. These efforts strengthened ties across generations, built momentum for future alumni engagement, and ensured every current student can participate in the Macy’s Parade.

The event succeeded because it went beyond fundraising—it united alumni, students, parents, and the community in a celebration of tradition, excellence, and opportunity.

The Legacy Reunion: Concert & Benefit raised over $14,000 and, more importantly, demonstrated the extraordinary support surrounding the LD Bell Band. While the funds helped offset trip costs to the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the greater impact was the sense of pride and connection built across generations.

Over 350 guests attended, with more than 80 alumni returning to perform alongside current students. Alumni, parents, district leaders, and community members united to celebrate the program’s history and invest in its future. Creative touches—such as themed sodas, historical displays, and NYC-inspired experiences—helped transform the evening into a living reflection of the band’s tradition and excellence.

This initiative reminded our students that they are part of something larger than themselves and showed our community that music education continues to inspire, connect, and strengthen bonds across time.

Start early by building an alumni database. Highlight what makes your program unique to spark pride and connection. Involve parents and volunteers at every step, partner with media if possible, and stay flexible—adaptability will make your event thrive.