Concord High School’s music program raised $5,250 in partnership with Grappone Mazda’s Be Moved Drive Program last weekend.
More than 100 community members turned up at the school on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., totaling 105 qualified test drives, each of which generated $50 for the program.
“It feels nice to know there are people out there who care about our program,” said Sylas Ruff, a Concord High junior and choir member.
The donations will go a long way to support the Tri-M Music Honor Society. The money will help fund scholarships for additional performing arts studies, department-sponsored travel and educational experiences — reducing the out-of-pocket costs that can keep students from participating.
Mazda’s Be Moved Drive Program supports everything from athletics to arts nationwide. It raised more than $128,000 for schools last year and reflects the way the brand invests in the future, success and safety of local students, according to a press release.
Gabriel Cohen, Concord High’s performing arts coordinator and music teacher, said the funding can really make a difference for some students.
“This money will help students have those formative experiences that can be unfortunately out of reach,” Cohen said. “People from the community I don’t even recognize showed to support this cause, which has been really cool to see.”