By JENNY ROSAS, Contributor

Hundreds of parents, Vandegrift band students and staff delivered 32,676 bags of mulch on April 6 and 7. This was the 7th consecutive year of selling and delivering mulch as a fundraiser, by the VHS band and Vision Dance Co.

When the tradition started in spring of 2012, less than 10,000 bags were sold. This year, students sold a record amount equating to 1.4 million pounds of mulch and $156,000 in sales. Seventy to 80 percent of customers are repeat customers.  

This is considered one of the largest fundraisers at VHS.

This massive team effort even involves alumni band students and parents who pitch in to help deliver mulch. This year’s coordinated, efficient delivery event used six 26-­foot box trucks, three forklifts, and a multitude of personal vehicles to move mulch from VHS and Canyon Ridge Middle School parking lots to home driveways in the Four Points area.

“To see our parents and students come together in such a successful fundraiser is nothing short of outstanding,” said Mike Howard, director of bands. “Thank you to anyone who supported the band in this fundraiser… you help us to continue to ‘define the standard’.”

Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for equipment, costumes, props, and music for its award-­winning marching band program. The group would like to purchase a new 53 foot trailer to haul instruments and equipment to marching band competitions across the state.