Amid the pandemic, annual school organization fundraisers have faced many changes or had to be dropped completely putting many group’s activities in jeopardy. Still, many groups have found unique ways to provide funding for their needs.

For the band program, the typical annual fundraisers go toward expenses for the entire program and profits provide for many different aspects of the program. 

Band director Brad Balog said, “COVID-19 has been devastating to our normal fundraising efforts. We have lost the majority of revenue from football game concessions. In addition, the Contest of Champions Marching Band Festival, Marketplace Craft Fair and our annual mattress sale have all been canceled this year. These events primarily fund our annual band booster budget and we have lost all of them.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions placed on sporting events, funds brought in from activities such as football games and competitions have been cut, and the program has had to create new ways to promote in order to raise the money they need. 

“We have tried a couple of smaller contact-free fundraisers to make up for lost revenue. These have been our facemask sale and our cup sale. We have also had restaurant nights at Chipotle and Dewey’s Pizza. We have been able to continue our online auction for the craft fair, although donations are down significantly due to the strain of COVID-19 on our local businesses,” Balog said. 

Fundraising profits help the program provide and create the best experience for students. Not only does the money help provide equipment, but also provides financial assistance for families, show design fees and $4,500 in scholarships for senior band members. This year, however, the program is unable to travel, which has reduced their expenses.

“Luckily, we are able to get through this year because our expenses are down due to the revisions of both our marching band and winter color guard seasons. Neither group could travel this year, and the Lancer Regiment was not able to field a competitive show. That being said, the reduced revenue will not be sustainable for us past this year without making significant changes in program spending,” Balog said.

The band program isn’t the only program affected by the altered fundraising. Grade level fundraisers have become an annual tradition, and due to COVID-19, many of these fundraisers are unable to occur. 

Assistant Principal Kirti Mehrotra said, “During this pandemic, our community is in more need than at any other time. It has become impossible to plan any event in which we have a gathering of people due to fear of infection.”

Events such as the Freshman Winter Carnival, Sophomore Rock and Roll Bingo, or Trivia Night, and Junior Taste of West County have been in place for over 25 years and are unable to occur this year. All profits from the class fundraisers go toward each group’s Senior Celebration. However, Celebration is not the only benefit. 

Assistant Principal Colleen Fields said, “While Senior Celebration is the end goal, having our students participate in these events helps to connect our community to our school. Students have a lot of fun as hosts of these events, and it gives all of us an opportunity to showcase what a special place Lafayette is.”

Also, a part of the Lafayette community is the Lancer Parent Organization (LPO). Parents from each grade level work together to raise money for different aspects of the school.

LPO treasurer Carren Rogan said, “The money [we raise] goes towards teacher grants, donations to each class, the Lancer Award scholarship, ads in the yearbook, principal wishlist, communication for families through emails(Membership Toolkit), purchasing spirit wear, staff dinners for conference nights, tax prep, insurance, Special Olympics, freshman class startup account.”

Class fundraisers and sporting events are a big part of where funds for the LPO come from. Due to the inability to fundraise because of COVID-19, the LPO is unable to provide teacher grants and start the account for the Class of 2025.

“I do not believe we have come up with alternatives. Fundraising for the classes this year would be direct donation. The students can help spread the word. Students could also try to come up with ideas and share those ideas with the LPO,” Rogan said.

As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, organizations such as Student Council (STUCO) are unable to meet in the school building. In the past, STUCO has done community service events such as the St. Jude Walk, Turkey Dinner Dance, Red Cross Blood Drive and Adopt a Family.

STUCO Executive Board member senior Hope Ware said, “The money we raise for the St. Jude Walk goes to St. Jude, the blood drives help fill the blood banks for people who need transfusions, the Turkey Dinner Dance gives local nursing home residents a chance to dance and have a Thanksgiving meal together [and] Adopt a Family gives holiday presents to those who are less fortunate.”

However, this year STUCO is unable to carry out many of their events and has had to come up with new ideas for fundraisers to follow new guidelines including asking people to donate and encouraging the student body to get involved. Their biggest moneymakers are the dances which they have not been able to have.

“This year we have only been able to do the St. Jude Walk, where we meet at Lafayette to raise money by doing a virtual walk together. We encourage kids to do random acts of kindness during November in hopes to spread some happiness and positivity during these hard times,” Ware said.