He won’t forget his BMR roots
Blackstone businessman giving back to band with tractor raffle
BLACKSTONE — Local businessman Daniel P. Keefe remembers his own high school days as a trombonist with the Blackstone-Millville Chargers Marching Band, including long, cold nights practicing in the high school parking lot.
Back when he was a student in the 1980s, the band was led by the late Thomas Hessney, BMR's first band director, who would then be followed by Ronald "Buddy" Bibeault, Russ Arnold and school's current music director, Todd Shafer.
“Being part of the BMR music program was a great experience for me. We played in the Macy’s Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade,” says Keefe, owner of State Line Power Products and New England Chimney & Roofing, both on Main Street. “You carry those experiences with you for the rest of your life.”
The BMR Chargers Marching Band has a long history of achievement since its inception in 1970, routinely taking top honors in local, regional and national competitions. The band won
27 consecutive gold medals from Massachusetts Instrumental Choral Conductors and last year the BMR Chargers Marching Band & Colorguard were named the 2015 US Bands Group IV Open National Champions.
“The music program has been one of the most successful programs in the district,” says Keefe, a member of the Blackstone Board of Selectmen.
A big part of that success, he says, is the Blackstone Millville Music Association (BMMA), a parent-run group that supports the award-winning, extra-curricular music program at Blackstone-Millville Regional High School, including Marching Band and Color Guard, Winter Percussion, Winter Guard and Jazz Band.
The association is a non-profit federal tax exempt organization that provides chaperones, crew and volunteers for the music program on a year-round basis, while also providing funds for staff salaries, uniforms, equipment, props and transportation.
Because costs for marching band continue to escalate, other local music programs are known to charge as much as $1,000 per student to participate. BMMA raises funds to offset rising operating costs, keeping participation affordable for local families and offering financial assistance to students in need. BMMA also offers scholarships to enable students to perfect their skills at music camps, as well as to support outgoing seniors with their college educations. But sometimes the finances can be lean. Keefe, who still has fond memories of his days with the BMR band, wants to give a little something back to the band community that
gave so much to him when he was in high school.
He’s raffling off a brand new Husqvarna YTH22V42 lawn tractor donated by his company, State Line Power. The $1,900 tractor comes complete with a custom paint job of the school colors of purple and gold courtesy of RK Autobody & Sales on Main Street in Blackstone and graphics provided by American Beauty Signworks in Woonsocket.
The complete package – tractor, custom paint job and graphics – is valued at around $3,500. All proceeds from the raffle – which is going on now – will benefit the BMMA.
Raffle tickets are $20 and can be purchased at several Blackstone locations, including State Line Power, 271 Main St.; RK Autobody & Sales, 319 Main St.; Tole Booth gift shop, 129 Main St.; Betty’s Donuts and Coffee Shop, 3 Main St.; Walker’s Pub, 88 Canal St.; Forever Ink of Blackstone Valley, 3 Main St.; Polish American Citizens Club, 6 Mill St.; and the Millerville Men’s Club, 8 Lloyd St.; and Barbara’s Place in Woonsocket.
Keefe says raffle tickets will remain on sale right up until the BMR Chargers Marching Band last band show in mid-November. The drawing will take place after the show and the winner will be announced on the Blackstone Millville Music Association’s Facebook page.
“The Blackstone-Millville Regional School District music program is near and dear to my heart and this is my small way of giving something back for all of the great memories and experiences that I had being a part of the band,” Keefe said.
“Being a part of the BMR music program was a great experience for me. You carry those experiences with you the rest of your life.” — Daniel Keefe