MLT Jazz Band performs at fundraiser for national anti-bullying program

This comes from our friends at My Edmonds News:

The Edmonds Public Schools Foundation hosted more than 85 guest in late August for an evening of jazz that raised $15,000 to bring the Rachel’s Challenge anti-bullying program to Edmonds School District schools.  According to Foundation President Debbie Bodal, the district needed $15,000 to supplement the $25,000 received from the Hazel Miller Foundation for Rachel’s Challenge, a national snti-bullying program founded after the Columbine Tragedy.

As guests arrived, they were entertained by six students from the award winning Mountlake Terrace Jazz Band. Appetizers were donated by A Chef’s kitchen and Icicle Seafood. Former Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson emceed the event as a barbecue salmon dinner (salmon donated by John and Brenda Bush and barbecue by Doug Dixon and his crew) was served while guests watched the Puget Sound sky turn red, orange and pink as the sun set. A dessert frenzy and auction followed dinner, along with dance music from Geoffrey Castle and Bernt Bodal.

“It couldn’t have been a more perfect evening”, Debbie Bodal said. “Everything just flowed and we had wonderful volunteers.”

Bodal offered thank yous to John Scherrer, parent and founder of  Seattle Teen Music Foundation, a nonprofit supporting student musicians, and students from the Mountlake Terrace Jazz Band: John O’Byrne, drums; Kyle Scherrer, guitar; Taylor Griffin, piano; Scott Swanberg, bass; Skyler Floe, trumpet and Jack Walters, saxophone.  These same students were recent award winners at the National Essentially Ellington competition. Also deserving thanks were Tom Bodal and Justin Acohido for manning the kitchen along with PSF board volunteers, family members and friends.

Of the money raised, $15,000 will go to Rachel’s Challenge with the remaining designated to help Edmonds School District programs through a grant process in the spring. You can learn more about Rachel’s Challenge here.

The Edmonds Public Schools Foundation’s mission is to “empower, energize and enrich every student in the Edmonds School District on their educational path to graduation.” Donations can be sent to PSF, P.O. Box 390, Lynnwood WA 98046 or can be made via the website atwww.edmondspsf.org.

Mountlake Terrace Jazz Band members perform to raise money for Rachel's Challenge.

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