This fund is a great way for individuals and companies to encourage members of the Spirit of Newark, Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps to strive to do better in school and at the same time continue to experience the wholesome and comprehensive benefits of drum and bugle corps.

The Spirit of Newark is the only DCI touring corps that hails from the inner city. The art of drum and bugle corps is not only a unique and effective deterrent to gangs, violence and juvenile delinquency for minority youth, but also and attractive and successful way to show them the "outside" / "real" world.

In addition, the college level training and performance demanded by drum and bugle corps competition, further increases an inner city youngster's appetite for success and better things.

A big part of the daily mission of the Spirit of Newark is to foster and encourage at-risk youth to stay in school and do well. However, because of the high rates of crime, poverty and single-parent families, there are more obstacles then a drum and bugle corps can overcome.

Consequently, the high cost of being a member of a national touring corps is beyond the financial means of inner city youth. But with the help of friends, relatives, professional acquaintances (doctors, lawyers, etc.), local store owners, small companies and large corporations, these youngsters can be a part of something that change their lives through the Spirit of Newark.

The Spirit of Newark is asking, on behalf of its members, who will have their bios on our website for everyone to see, any and every person and company to donate the amount of money based upon the member's grades. A Sponsor can choose to sponsor one member or all members and can choose from the amount you will donate - e.g. $20 for an "A", 10$ for a "B", 5$ for a "C".

The facts speak for themselves. The percentage of Newark youngsters who graduate high school is less than 64% (2003 and this includes GED graduates). And the percentage of high school graduates who will go on to college is even less - 11%.

This means in general that very few youngsters who come through the Spirit of Newark will ever go on to college and some might not even graduate high school. This is why the need to inspire inner city youth to stay in school and do well in their personal lives is such a huge challenge.

We at Spirit of Newark are willing to be a part of the change needed for these young people to have a chance at improving their lives. We are asking all of you to participate in this challenge and help the Spirit of Newark continue to be a positive and uplifting force for at-risk youth in Newark.

Sponsors can sign up to sponsor a particular member or some members or all members. Please visit the SPONSOR SIGN-UP FORM (click here for the Sponsor Form) and fill in the blanks accordingly.

Spirit of Newark members will write up a short biography (Click here for Member Bios) of what they are doing today and what educational life goals they may have. Members can print the MEMBER'S ACCOUNT FORM (click here for the form) and fill in the blanks accordingly. Spirit members must also go out and find sponsors, because the more sponsors you find, the more money that you will raise.

The members will then submit a copy of their grades for the entire year to the SPIRIT GRADE FUND and the corps staff will contact the sponsors.

Once the SPIRIT GRADE FUND has determined the number of grades and amount pledged for them, a breakdown of these members will be sent to each sponsor. Since Newark schools will be finished by the end of June. We request that all sponsors please send in their amounts due by July 15. Our 2009 Tour will start around July 24 and we need to have all checks deposited in the bank and accounted for before we leave for Tour.

All monies pledged through this FUND will be used only for corps members 2010 Tour Fees, which is $500 per member. Any amount beyond $500 for a particular member will be put into a general membership fund to assist other less fortunate corps members.

The SPIRIT OF NEWARK, Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps is deeply grateful for any and all support. We thank you on behalf of the corps members and hope that this can be the start, however small, of keeping more Newark youngsters in school and helping them to graduate high school.