Alumni organize Valentine's Market to help fund new drums for Parkview Lassies

A former member of the Parkview Lassies with fond memories of her time in the all-female drum and bugle corps has organized a fundraiser to help the program buy new drums.

Cheyenne Jordan, who was part of the Parkview Lassies from 2015 to 2017, has organized a Valentine's Market with more than 50 vendors.

"The drums that they have are super old and constantly needing repairs," said Jordan, who was drum captain during her senior year. "We decided to raise this money to give them drums."

She said alumni of the Parkview Lassies have spent months raising $12,000 of the $15,000 needed to buy new drums — which run $400 each — for the entire student group. They hope to close the gap with on-site donations, booth fees and raffles at the market.

"This event is going to finish raising the money that we need," she said.

The Valentine Market will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Parkview Christian Church, on Campbell Avenue across from Parkview High School. The church, which has long supported the high school, is not charging for the space.

"We have a lot of awesome vendors. We have permanent jewelry, fresh flowers, bakers, a food truck, some fun home décor and a lot of arts and crafts from different people," she said.

There will also be homemade soaps and lotions, plants, herbal teas, crystals, as well as boutique-style clothing.

"Entry for people wanting to come shop is totally free. We are going to have raffles available and the items in the raffle are donated by vendors who are participating or alumni or people close to the Lassies," Jordan said.

The Parkview Lassies was formed in 1956 but disbanded in the 1990s. Alumni worked to bring the corps back in 2012 and some of the equipment used is still from the restart, Jordan said.

Jordan, a 2017 graduate of Parkview, said the corps provides a "sense of sisterhood." She said before performances, members join hands and sing the Lassie song.

"It was a very empowering experience. We would perform in the school and it took away a lot of stage fright that I had," she recalled. "It was very powerful to be marching to the drums in front of everyone. We would consistently get first place in parades and that was just really good for self-confidence," she said.

"I made so many wonderful friends through the Lassies and even the other alumni, even though we are decades away in age, we have become the best of friends."

More: Central's nearly 100-year-old Kiltie Drum & Bugle Corps trying to raise $100K for uniforms

If the event is popular, Jordan said she hopes to turn the Valentine's Market into an annual fundraiser.

"They currently don’t receive funding from the school ... We need to be successful in our first one so that vendors are inspired to come back year after year," Jordan said.

"After this, I’d like to be able to contribute funds for new uniforms, new bugles, instrument repairs, covering student fees, and transportation to and from the events and parades."

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Parkview Lassies alumni organize Valentine's Market to buy new drums