By Samantha SLAYBACK

The Crescenta Valley Instrumental Music (CVIM) program experienced great success earlier this month with its seventh annual Korean barbecue fundraiser. Organizers, including CVIM mom Tracey Black, agreed that this year was the best. Black has helped to coordinate the event every year.

Each year the fundraiser for CVIM is held in the Crescenta Valley High School quad. The funds go towards paying the program’s yearly expenses, which annually reach approximately $60,000. This year, the students and coordinators worked to further enhance the barbecue experience in the hopes of raising enough money to buy a new truck to transport CVIM students and their gear.

This year the time of the event was moved from mid-day to early evening, proving to be a wise decision.

“It truly felt like the community event we had always hoped for, reaching well beyond just the music families into many aspects of the La Crescenta community,” said Black. “People seemed to relax and enjoy the evening and the entertainment much more than usual and there was a large crowd from start to finish.”

The event kicked off with a performance by the CV Jazz Combo, followed by a traditional samul nori drum performance sponsored by the CVHS Korean Club with a grant from the Korean Education Center. Following these acts, guests heard some classic rock tunes from the Jeremy Benson Band, and a demonstration from the Martial Way Studio tae kwon do demo team. Finally, the event wound down to the sounds of the CV Jazz Band.

“It was lovely listening to the soothing jazz music as the sun went down,” said Black. “It was the perfect finale to a successful event.”

Along with the food and entertainment, for the first time Hula Girls Shaved Ice sold treats at the event, donating 20% of their proceeds to CVIM.

The evening was a success, right down to the slightly overcast weather, but Black said that the event couldn’t have run so smoothly without the help of many volunteers.

“I was especially impressed by the number of volunteers who stepped up to help make this a success – from students helping with set up to parents volunteering to grill meat and preparing and serving food to selling tickets and cleaning up when it was all over,” said Black. “I was amazed by the amount of volunteer support – it was truly a team effort.”

Another attraction, and one that the organizers are especially thankful for, are the raffle prizes and gift baskets donated by Merle Norman, Starbucks, and Trader Joes, and gift cards from Anderson’s Pet Shop, Berges, Casa Cordoba, Gelsinger’s, Star Cafe, New Moon, Tofu Love, Once Upon A Time, Montrose Luggage, Glendale Centre Theater, Bronson Photography, Bob Smith Toyota, Farrago, Foothill Car Wash, Hill Street Cafe, Joselitos, Tom’s Toys, Zeli’s Coffee, and the Nail Clinic. Last but not least, Grayson’s Tune Town donated a Fender acoustic guitar.

Other gifts were donated by CVIM parents, like tickets to the Ellen Show and two tickets for a day at Disneyland.

“These donated prizes are always a big hit,” Black said.

Not only was this the most successful Korean BBQ fundraiser in the sense that the weather was great and the guests all had a great time – this year’s event also raised the most money of any so far. Last year, CVIM raised approximately $6,000. This year, that amount is just shy $10,000.

“It’s not enough to purchase a truck, but it’s definitely a good start,” said Black. “Even though we did not make enough at this single event to purchase a truck that will meet CVIM’s transportation needs, we will continue to fundraise and seek out possible sponsors and donors to meet this goal.”

  Samantha SLAYBACK