The community dined out last night at Chick-fil-A to support the Annapolis Middle School (AMS) Dance Company in their efforts to raise money for a trip to Miami Gardens, FL. The dance company needs $18,000 to send 12 students to perform in the halftime show at the Discover Orange Bowl. The students are seeking tax-credit donations from local businesses and the community. They are holding fundraisers around town because the first half of the money is due on Sept. 17.
Monique Jackson, AMS principal; her husband, Kevin, and their family came out to support the dancers and meet the Chick-fil-A cow at the food court at Westfield Annapolis Shopping Center. Jackson has showed support for the dance company and Kendra Smith, the AMS dance and physical education teacher. Nearly a dozen other teachers and staff from AMS attended the event, which raised more than $300 through food purchases and a donation jar.
To publicize the event, Jackson mentioned the fundraiser in a recorded message about the school schedule that went out to all AMS parents earlier this week. The school also sent notices home and the Chick-fil-A cow visited AMS to remind students about the event. Wendy Chesshire, unit marketing director for Chick-fil-A, helped parents of the dancers organize the event.
It will cost $1,500 for each of the 11 girls and one boy to participate. The $1,500 package includes transportation, four nights in a hotel, some meals, a game show ticket, costume, professional choreography and instruction, DVD of performance, souvenirs, and liability insurance.
How to Donate:
All donations are tax deductible and should be made payable to Annapolis Middle School with "Orange Bowl Donation" in the memo line and mailed to:
Annapolis Middle School
Attention: Mrs. Kendra Smith, Department of Dance
1399 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403
Upcoming fundraising events for AMS Dance Company:
Sept. 11, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Water sales at Germantown Elementary (for Navy game attendees)
Sept. 16, 6 to 8 p.m., Water sales at AMS Back-to-School Night
Sept. 23, 6 to 9 p.m., Bruster's Ice Cream Scoop Night (with 90s karaoke)
