<lst>The Robinson Band and Orchestra Parent Organization (RBOPO) directors and students wish to thank the Burke Centre Community for the generous donations made on Tag Day.
The Robinson Marching Band will compete at Charlottesville High School on Oct. 5 and the State Competition (VBODA) at Potomac High School on Oct. 26. The Robinson community is invited to enjoy the band's performances at all Robinson home football games.
Drum majors Adam Stokes, Jack Gillis and Ellen Sutey lead the Robinson Marching Band, directed by Denton Stokes. Soloists are Danny Reip, Beth Sutey, Steve Shearer (trumpet), David Lindholm (trombone), Kathleen Herring (alto and soprano saxophone), Kyle Facada and Joe Burbach (alto saxophone) Kyle Gardner (euphonium), Rachel Hardin (mellophone) and Lauren Macintosh (flute).
For a complete schedule of performances of the marching band and all the Robinson Middle School and High School concert bands, visit the Robinson Band Web site at www.robinsonband.org.
A $10,000 contribution from Springfield VFW Post 7327 has pushed the Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) of Springfield beyond the halfway mark toward its goal of raising $380,000 to pay for a major expansion of its facility on Old Keene Mill Road.
The local VFW post presented the contribution to Anthony Pomilla, president of ECHO, on Sept. 9 at a meeting of the Springfield Inter-Service Club Council at Crestwood Elementary School.
ECHO was founded in 1968 to provide charitable assistance to individuals and families experiencing temporary financial difficulties. In the last fiscal year, ECHO provided 11,000 bags of food, 3,100 bags of clothing and more than $115,000 in cash to 3,200 persons in the greater Springfield-Burke area.
The 3,700-square-foot building was constructed in 1986, but donations from area supporters fill its gray metal shelves to the rafters and volunteer counselors meet with clients — often two families at the same time — in a single office.
The planned expansion will add about 2,500 square feet of space for additional counseling offices, warehouse storage and clothing display areas.