ATHENS-The East Limestone High School Band has a goal of 51,000,000 steps in this year’s, Get in Step with the Marching Indians digital step challenge, and they are not doing it alone! The band challenges the community to help them reach their goal and raise money for the band. The challenge begins at 12:01 a.m., August 20, and steps are counted until midnight, October 31.
The digital step challenge is hosted by ChallengeRunner.com. Participants receive a link to join the challenge once they pay the registration fee. Registration fees are: $20 for individuals; $40 for families of three or more; and $10 
for students and teachers. Once registered, participants choose a team and then follow a few simple steps to authorize their tracking device.
“This is my favorite fundraiser,” said ELHS Band Director, Jennifer “Mrs. Sam” Janzen. “If there is one thing we do well this time of year, it’s move! A band kid, on a practice day, is going to put in 15,000 steps easily.” Teams for this year’s competition are Woodwinds, Brass, Guard, Percussion, The Tribe (students) and The Chief’s (teachers and administrators). Business teams are also available. The challenge is conducted online which allows family and friends who do not live locally to participate.
Limestone County Bands are self-funding. “We’re a $150,000 band running on less than half of that amount,” said Janzen, “Fundraising is a fact of life. Thank goodness for our band parents — but people get tired of selling things. We try to do things like this step challenge to keep what we must do to survive, fun.” East Limestone band students are actively registering participants now.
For information on how your businesses can participate as part of your wellness program. Contact program coordinator, Pam Stapleton at pamelastapleton@outlook.com.
Pictured: Jackson Weathers, Percussionist
Pictured: The East Limestone High School Marching Indian Band at Camp Helen
Pictured: Jonah Davis, Trumpet Player
Media Release/Blake Williams/Limestone County Band/Photos: Pam Stapleton
