McDonald's fund-raiser to help elementary school bands ends on a high note

East Rochester school band members on hand to celebrate a check presentation at East Rochester School. Back, from left, Larry Lane, senior area supervisor of the Napoli Group McDonald's; Peter Napoli, owner; Larry Johnston, McDonald's brand ambassador;

EAST ROCHESTER - Rochester's elementary school band program got a needed boost on Monday as the Napoli Group presented it with a $3,000 check to pay to refurbish used instruments for students whose parents might not be able to afford to buy one.

The Napoli Group, which owns several area McDonald's restaurants including both in Rochester, presented the check to Rochester Elementary School band director Mike Bergeron in an afternoon ceremony at the East Rochester School.

Peter Napoli, owner, said he was happy to be able to present the check, which represented a 10 percent donation of the North Main Street restaurant's total take for the weekend of June 8-10.

Napoli had guaranteed a minimum of $2,000 during a ribbon cutting at the newly refurbished North Main Street McDonald's on June 7, but said he was thrilled that the benefit ended up collecting an extra grand.

"I am excited with what this funding will do in improving the music program here," he said shortly after the check presentation ceremony.

McDonald's brand ambassador Larry Johnston echoed Napoli's enthusiasm for the project.

"We are delighted to support the Rochester band program by starting with the beginners at the elementary school," Johnston said. "The $3,000 total is much greater than we expected and is a magnificent amount of money that will allow instruments to be reconditioned so they are like new when school gets back in session this coming fall. Without this program many students who could not afford it are now able to participate in the band."

Joanne Houston, director of bands at Spaulding High School, said McDonald's has been a longtime supporter of Rochester schools and said their help is an integral part of maintaining the high standards students and parents have come to expect of Spaulding's music program.