Page 27 - LRCC FOCUS December 2021

lansingchamber.org CHAMBER NEWS

LAFCU + LRCC: 12 Years of Lansing Community Impact
in Education

hen LAFCU signed up to be the
entertainment sponsor for the Lansing
WRegional Chamber’s Annual Dinner in 2010,
it was a way for the Michigan credit union to support
the chamber. The sponsorship has become so much
more over the past 12 years, impacting thousands of
high school band students.

Back then, a high school instrumental group performed
at the annual event, and LAFCU donated $1,000 to the
school’s band program.

Over the years, the event expanded, and live music no
longer fit the vision. However, the annual donation to a
high school band program continued. The total donated
now adds up to $12,000, with the 2021 donation going to
Eaton Rapids High School in October.

“This is a great example of how a sponsorship
can evolve to make an even greater impact in the
community,” said Tim Daman, chamber president and
CEO. “Helping band programs is almost an unintended
positive consequence of the original agreement. In the
first years of presenting donations to the schools, it was
quickly apparent these funds could supplement tight
school budgets. It was great having a partner who saw
that, too, and continued the support of our region’s
educational systems.”

School use of the funds has varied. The three Lansing
high schools, as well as several other schools including
Eaton Rapids, deposited the donation into their general
band fund.

Donations to Mason and Perry high schools were used
to kick off major fundraising campaigns. For Mason,
the campaign was to replace marching band drumline
equipment. For Perry High School, the fundraising was
for new marching band uniforms.

St. Johns High School planned to purchase raincoats
for its marching band, Charlotte High School was going
to purchase small percussion instruments, and Holt
High School wanted to use the money to support the
orchestra: new music, new instruments and additional
master classes.
“High school bands are often the pride of a town,
“This is one of my favorite sponsorships,” said Kelli adding roots to the emotional aspect of belonging is
Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU chief marketing officer and important for a thriving, bustling community. As one
chief diversity officer. “It directly benefits students, recipient told us, ‘Having the support of a local business
and it has a broader, long-lasting community aspect, demonstrates to students and their families that our
which makes this support of arts in education an ideal band program is important to the school and to our
partnership with the chamber. community.’ Our response is: Yes, you are important!” l

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