Get creative and support the Seminole Fine Arts Boosters
Seminole Fine Arts Booster (SFAB) is a local non-profit organization in Seminole County that recently celebrated a year of success. It began out of concern for lack of a unified booster organization to help support all three Fine Arts Departments of the Seminole County Middle/High School.
SCMHS had a Band Booster club for many years that only serviced the band department. A group of concerned parents had an interest-meeting in 2022 proposing the inclusion of all three SCMHS Fine Arts Departments into a newly-formed booster club.
“With a quickly growing choral and visual arts department, it made sense to combine forces to help these directors as well, while also minimizing fundraising competition amongst the three, especially since these departments do not receive school or state funding for their department needs”, says Nicole Touchton, SFAB co-President.
In 2023, the group applied for and was granted 501(c)(3) status for the newly established Seminole Fine Arts Booster. Founding and current board members for SFAB are Nicole Touchton, Amanda Earnest, Sesame Robinson, LaToya Fennel, and Jaunwanta King.
Together with many wonderful volunteers and students, SFAB has worked hard this past year fundraising to build their account with the purpose of supplying each department the funds required to operate each academic year. Working tirelessly, they were able to raise more than enough money to supply each arts director with their requested operating budget for 2024/2025; over thirteen-thousand dollars distributed amongst the three departments. “Support from local businesses and patrons in the community plays a crucial role in promoting arts education and enriching the learning experiences of students utilizing these programs for their educational advancement,” says Auxiliary Coach, Amy Cannon.
SFAB’s most important annual fundraiser will happen May through July and is the SCHS Football Program ad sales. SFAB is proud to produce the football program, which honors the SCHS sport teams, coaches, fine art departments, individuals, and many supporters that contribute to the success and spirit of Friday Night Lights in Seminole County.
Every ad sold helps provide essential funds for the SCMHS band, chorus, and visual arts students. All local and surrounding businesses and families are encouraged to purchase an ad, which are very affordable and range from one-eighth to one full page. Football programs are sold at each SCHS home game (at least five games) and are read by hundreds of spectators from Seminole and surrounding counties.
Program ad sale forms can be found this week on page 4 in your Donalsonville News, on the SFAB Facebook and Instagram pages (@seminolfab) or by emailing SFAB: [email protected]
SFAB would like to thank its many patrons, volunteers, and supporters this year for helping them to establish a successful fundraising campaign for the Fine Arts Departments of SCMHS. Many thanks to Band Director Chelsea Willis, Auxiliary Coach Amy Cannon, Choral Director Maribeth Burke, and Visual Arts Director Madison Moore for their support of not only SFAB, but of the hundreds of incredible artists of SCMHS. SCHMS
“A huge thank you to the volunteers and to the board of directors for a great first year! Your monetary donations will stretch for years to come. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, and such a comfort knowing that we have a growing presence within our niche. Consider joining this thriving community of supporters. The Fine Arts programs are alive and well in Seminole County!,” says Burke.
