The check that local realtor John Rea presented ULM President James Cofer today represents much more than its $7,214.54 face value.

To Rea, the fundraiser Band Aid, which Rea and Riley began in September to fund new instruments for the ULM Band, represents how much the community has invested in ULM. He shared a story about an elderly woman with a walker who visited his office.

“She had this little purse filled with coins and she told me she had heard about the campaign, and wanted to give to the Band Aid program. That showed what she thought about what was going on here at the university.”

The grassroots campaign means a lot to ULM, said Cofer.

Talking about the countless Band Aid jars distributed all over town, Cofer said, “This grassroots effort was very innovative and imaginative. And this kind of community support is so important to us.”

Rea’s son has been mentored by music professor Sandra Lunte, who taught him to “better appreciate his gifts,” Rea said.

Rea also praised the work of band director Derle Long, and he thanked President Cofer and his wife Deborah for being the first ones to contribute to the campaign.