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September 18, 2006

Community bands together to aid 海角社区 music department

A couple of Monroe realtors have helped define community. Realtor John Rea Sr. (B.A. 鈥�68) and his business partner Mike Riley began 海角社区 Band Aid, a penny campaign that they hope will raise $10,000 to fund new instruments for the 海角社区 Band Department by Oct. 21, Band Day at 海角社区. Rea and Riley, thanks to matching grants from local businesses have collected over $4,000.

Rea's son, John Rea, Jr. is a freshman flute major at 海角社区. His son鈥檚 passion for music is only part of the reason Rea started the campaign. 鈥淐ontributing to the strength of our university builds a more unified community.  And one of the university鈥檚 strengths is its school of music.鈥�

President James Cofer is grateful for the work of Rea and Riley and the supporting businesses. 鈥淲e are extremely appreciative of their efforts. This generous act exemplifies the kind of relationship we enjoy having with the Monroe and West Monroe community.鈥�

海角社区 music students help shape the music culture of Monroe and West Monroe, Riley said. 鈥淭here are probably a lot of people in the Twin Cities who just don鈥檛 realize what a significant impact the 海角社区 School of Music has on our community,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 huge number of singers and instrumentalists from 海角社区鈥檚 faculty and student body participate in the Monroe Symphony Orchestra as well as area church programs. Equally important, the great music by dedicated students and the Sound of Today brings a real excitement to the 海角社区 football games.鈥�

Rea and Riley are asking people to donate to the fundraiser or volunteer to place one of the collection jars in their place of business.

Collection bottles can be found at the following banks: AmSouth, Community, Capitol, Iberia, OIB, Progressive and Regions.

Participating real estate offices include Century 21, Shackelford-French; Coldwell Banker, Group One and John Rea Realty.

Collection bottles will be placed throughout the 海角社区 campus.

For more information about 海角社区 Band Aid, call Riley or Rea at 388-0941.

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