The Marching Chieftains are raising funds for a trip in late December to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Each member of the band has been asked to contribute $380 toward the cost of the trip. In addition, vocal music students are raising funds for upcoming activities.

“I think we’ve come up with an idea that will benefit members of both the band and the choir,” said Caroline Trowbridge, editor and publisher of The Mirror. “Obviously, this idea will be good for The Mirror, but we also want to help as many students as we can. And it’s great that the Lawrence Journal-World has joined us in this effort.”

The Mirror will donate to students $5 from each annual subscription that students sell. A 52-week subscription to The Mirror costs $25 in Leavenworth, Jefferson, Douglas, Wyandotte and Johnson counties; $30 a year elsewhere in Kansas; and $35 a year outside of Kansas.

Trowbridge said the offer applies to both new subscriptions and renewals. The special offer kicks off next Wednesday and will run about a month, through May 12.

The Journal-World has agreed to donate $10 for each 14-month subscription, which costs customers $34.50.

Donna Mages, a member of the advisory board to the music department’s VIP Booster Club, will collect money from students once a week. She also will be in charge of tallying how much each student raises.

“We hope you’ll take advantage of the newspapers’ offers to work in concert with the Marching Chieftains and the choir program,” said Charles Van Middlesworth, band director, and Gordon Lankenau, choir director.

For additional information about this special offer, call The Mirror office, (913) 845-2222, or drop by the newspaper offices, 520 E. Fourth, in Tonganoxie.

“I know from personal experience how important both band and choir are to students in high school, and I’m really pleased we’re able to help students fund some special activities,” Trowbridge said. “We’re excited to be teaming up with some really talented musicians.”