Andalusia High School Band Boosters have launched their Big Money ticket sales with a goal of clearing $19,000.

Band Booster President Frank Shaffer said parents are selling the $50 tickets until halftime of the Andalusia-Straughn game, set for Oct. 28. Three winners will be drawn that night. The first ticket drawn will be a $3,000 winner; the second ticket holder will receive $2,000; and the third will receive $1,000.

“This is one of the larger fundraisers for the band,” Shaffer said. “It really does help the band.

“Every other year, the band takes a trip to Orlando. We try to help students out as best as possible,” he said.

The trip is four days and three nights; and expenses include meals, entrances to Universal Studios and to Islands of Adventure.

“It works out to be about $500 per student,” Shafer said. “This money we raise helps the Booster Club cut that amount down to half or less than half for each student to pay.

For some students, he said, this will be their chance of a lifetime to visit Orlando; for many, having to foot the bill puts it out of reach for their families.

“We pour in as much as we can,” Shaffer said.

In other years, Band Boosters purchase and repair instruments, and provide supplies.

“This Big Money fundraiser saves us from having to do lots of donut sales and car washes,” Shaffer said.

For those who think $50 is out of their budget, Shaffer recommends offices going together.

“If 10 people put in $5 and you win $1,000, that’s $100 each,” he said. “That’s not a bad return.”

For tickets, contact Brandi Long, chairperson, at 334.790.4928; or Shaffer at 334.488.1358.

The AHS Sound Tradition currently has approximately 155 members.