EHS Choral Department receives funds for trip

Enterprise High School senior Cal Frenda expressed his gratitude to The Thrift Shop of Fort Rucker for the more than $8,500 donation to the Encores Tuesday for the group’s trip to New York, but he also got sentimental in describing the man he called a ‘friend’ and a ‘father figure.’

“This trip to New York and New York City will be outstanding above all the trips we’ve taken together as a group,” Frenda said. “Since this is Mr. Baker’s last year in teaching, it’s going to be special.”

Frenda speaks of long-time EHS Choral Director John Baker, who will retire at the end of the year.

“I’ve been in choir since the seventh and eighth grades and I’ve been under Mr. Baker for three years and all of our senior class in the Encores has a real strong bond together and with him,” he said. “This trip is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.”

As board members of The Thrift Shop of Fort Rucker presented a check for $8,569 to the group Tuesday, Baker explained that the entertainment group of students are traveling to New York March 22-26 to sing with the West Point Glee Club at St. John’s Cathedral.

“We’re also going to visit the 9-11 Memorial in New York City and take in a Broadway show,” he said. “This donation will definitely assist us in helping make our trip.”

Baker said 230 people will travel in buses to the location.

With a father stationed at Fort Rucker, EHS junior and Encore member Ashley Borunda said the donation Tuesday “means a lot to us. Without these funds, it would cost our parents and us a lot. We’ve worked hard to be able to pay for the trip, but this donation just means everything to us.”

Board Chair of The Thrift Shop of Fort Rucker Gina Menold said the shop is a non-profit organization established to generate funds, which are disbursed as welfare grants to charitable organizations on Fort Rucker and the surrounding communities.

“Over the years, organizations that have benefited from our financial support include local libraries and schools, Scouting programs, Wounded Warriors, Disabled American Veterans, Relay for Life and many others,” she explained.

Menold, a 1995 graduate of Enterprise High School, said she was “glad to be able to give back to her high school.”

She reminded the students that the FRTS also awards scholarships to seniors.

“We’d also like you to consider volunteering your time with us during the summer break and on Saturdays,” she said. “Volunteers price donations and work in the consignment area. If you can’t volunteer, then consider donating items or stop by to shop with us.”

The Thrift Shop is located on the corner of Red Cloud and 5^th and next door to the bowling alley on Fort Rucker.

For more information, log into http://www.facebook.com/thefortruckerthriftshop.