The band, which has been fundraising for 18 months, will take off for Hong Kong on March 21 and be back April 1.
By MANASEE WAGH
COURIER TIMES
It took more than 18 months but they did it.
The musicians and supporters of the Pennsbury High School marching band have raised more than $500,000 Now they are ready to use the cash to fly halfway across the world to perform in Hong Kong later this month.
The band will perform in a parade in Hong Kong Disneyland, at the Hong Kong Sevens international rugby tournament, and other venues.
While the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Boosters and community groups made huge strides ward raising funds for the trip, the musicians did the lion’s share of the work.
  Wes Miller is a senior who got a job this past June, busing tables at a pizza restaurant.
 "I live my life on tips. Everything I’d make would go to the band trip,” the trombone player said. He made $3,500, and his family pitched In, too.
  Gabby Mascio, a senior who plays clarinet, decided that raising
money for the trip had to take priority over going to the movies, hanging out with friends or reading a good book. So she got a job as a life guard art Sesame Place to make sure she had enough money for the coveted 12-day journey.
  "we worked really hard to raise the money" she said.
  Selling candy and other food was a big part of students fundraising efforts. Several said that selling boxes of treats was a to make at least a few dollars.

   Senior Sawyer Bernath, a trumpet player, should know. He got all his money from selling fruit snacks. In fact, he’s been carrying around a big box of them like an extra appendage for the past year and a half.
“I figured if I sold enough, I’d get there,” he said. “So far, I made $600, probably.”
It also helped that his parents are friends with a hairdresser who keeps a box of the snacks to sell to her customers.
Help from local patronsnwas so important, said Frank Mazzeo, the band director.
“I really want to thank the community. The money the kids fundraised truly came from the community.”
The Pennsbury Education Association and a local bank provided some funds. And area residents sponsored band members for golf tournaments and walkathons in which they walked up to 10 miles.
Nearby businesses like Chick-fil-A, Rita’s Water Ice and Morrisville Lanes designated special days on which they donated 10 percent to 15 percent of what they made to Pennsbury’s band.
Those are a few ways the local public has helped the band make its dreams of travel a reality. The band members and their chaperones, 170 in all, will take off for Hong Kong March 21 and be back April 1.
  “You can say you support and love the band,” Mazzeo said. “But this is really putting your money where your mouth is.”
Manasee Wagh can be reached at 215-949-4206 or mwagh@phillyBurbs.com.