Daybreak Middle School finding more help for band program

You may recall that Daybreak Middle School in Battle Ground, Wash., purchased used band uniforms from Mercer Island High School’s marching band when the MIHS band was able to buy new uniforms.

The story has spread like wildfire. Daybreak’s band director, George Izzet, called the Reporter on Friday to report that the band has received $1,000 in donations so far, and he has just sent the remaining $700 that he owed to the MIHS band.

This all came about when Izzet was shopping for uniforms for the Daybreak band in 2010, soon realizing it was too expensive to buy new ones, since a single complete new uniform would cost at least $350.

The regional representative at Stanbury Uniforms, where Izzet was shopping, told him that Mercer Island High School — which has the same colors as Daybreak — had old uniforms to sell.

Izzet and MIHS band director Parker Bixby got in contact and a deal was struck for Daybreak to purchase the old uniforms for $1,400. Daybreak still owed $700, which Bixby said they could pay off whenever it was possible.

The money being donated to Daybreak is now being used to patch “Daybreak Dragons” over Mercer Island on the back of the uniforms.

Izzet said half of the uniforms have the new logo on the back, and now they will be able to finish them all in time for the band’s appearance in the Macy’s Holiday Parade in Portland.

“I just think it’s so great to see kids out doing something positive,” Izzet said of his young band.

He said a $100 donation and a $350 donation have come from Mercer Island, among others.

 

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Staff Reporter Staff at editor@mi-reporter.com.

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