Proving their amazing generosity once again… the Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band raised $2400 for charity in one weekend of GermanFest... that’s $1000 more than last year! And it all goes to kids who need it. I’m proud to know these guys!
Permission for all photos from Dale Blank
The Freistadt Alte Kameraden and “Gloria”
The Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band Trumpets and Baritones have played the song Gloria out and among our fans since 1992. To show their appreciation many fans would stuff dollars into socks of the performers as they stood on tables and played for the crowd. Early on it was one or two dollars per guy and they simply pocketed the spare change and took it home as part of their pay for the job.
In 2004 the guys decided to pool their Gloria money and share it with the entire band. The “Gloria Fund” became much more than the members ever imagined it could be. Soon the band was able to purchase instruments for the band (Tuba, Baritone, and an Alphorn) and provide lunch and refreshments for our longer bus rides to performances during the year.
In 2016 the band decided to join with German Fest – Milwaukee as they raised funds for several local charities. The band was pleased to donate an additional $1400 dollars to those charities. In 2017, German Fest did not have an official charity so the band, with the blessing of German Fest, choose two charities very close to our hearts – Shriners Hospital, Chicago and The Fisher House, Wisconsin. We’re pleased to share that the many fans and supporters who attended our performances this year donated $2400 to the socks of the members of the band and that money will be shared equally with our two organizations.
Thanks again to the Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band!
Learn more about their history HERE–>Freistadt Alte Kameraden.
Follow them on Facebook HERE–> Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band Facebook
Get their schedule, and plan to see them live HERE (remember to have those Dollars ready!)–> Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band Schedule
Making the Donation
On August 14, 2017… the men of the Freistadt brought checks to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children and the Fisher House Wisconsin.
Great job guys! Well done!
