What could cause a few hundred teenagers to get up on the first Saturday morning after fall classes have started and go back to school? Sounds crazy, I know, but I'm talking about dedicated kids.
On Sept. 10, students from South Salem and Sprague high schools headed into their neighborhoods to ask residents to donate to their beloved music programs.
First, I searched out some South High orchestra students. Knocking on doors isn't easy, but they had their spiels down, politely introducing themselves and their quest to residents. Their black uniforms lent substance, and they said most people received them respectfully.
Color guard member Asia Tong said that the donation drive, dubbed Music Day, is a great way to offset expenses.
"We love what we do enough to advocate it," she said.
Every group of three or four students from orchestra, band or choir was accompanied by a volunteer parent with a specific map.
Back at South, event coordinator Peter Fernandez knew where each group was going and where they would eat lunch.
Parent Shanda Shribbs, "the cash counter," collected donations as they came in. Parent volunteers, including Robert and Andrea Chandler, provided lunches in their homes for the busy teens.
In all, 50 South parents and 150 students were involved. As of Sept. 25, South had collected $14,000 in donations, with more expected.
Around noon, I headed farther west and spied some Sprague band students by their easily identifiable white T-shirts.
When Lee Anne Janousek and Jen Petesky knocked at Jackie Glennie's door, the homeowner gave them a donation.
The girls said not many people were home, but parent driver Shawn Sornson cheered them up, saying it was time for a break.
Several Sprague "sector homes" were kept busy feeding lunch to hungry band and orchestra students as they rotated through.
"Greetings. Hi," said parent Carolyn Sands as she led a group of hot, hungry kids and parent drivers Tom Bowers and Randy Sutton into her dining room where sandwiches and drinks were in abundance.
"Do you have any of those 'sorry you weren't here papers?' " asked Sean May between bites, talking about fliers that he and other students left at homes where no one answered the door.
Sprague band member Taylor Smith said one resident wanted something in exchange for her donation, so the group of students sang her a song.
The total amount of donations Sprague collected was not available as of press time.
Students said they appreciated every dollar they received and that the funds will go toward their uniforms or travel.