It was cold, dreary and rain threatened to break through the
clouds at any minute. But for one longtime Hollister resident, it
was one of the most heartwarming days he’s had in a long time.
The San Benito High School Scarlet Regiment Band honored
93-year-old Edwin
”
Bud
”
Garrett by performing two songs for him in the parking lot of
the North Side Convalescent Hospital on Wednesday evening.
The band honored Garrett for fund-raising work he had done
almost 10 years ago when the band was in dire need of instruments
and uniforms. Over the years, Garrett fund-raised three separate
times for the band, garnering donations totaling almost
$30,000.
It was cold, dreary and rain threatened to break through the clouds at any minute. But for one longtime Hollister resident, it was one of the most heartwarming days he’s had in a long time.
The San Benito High School Scarlet Regiment Band honored 93-year-old Edwin “Bud” Garrett by performing two songs for him in the parking lot of the North Side Convalescent Hospital on Wednesday evening.
The band honored Garrett for fund-raising work he had done almost 10 years ago when the band was in dire need of instruments and uniforms. Over the years, Garrett fund-raised three separate times for the band, garnering donations totaling almost $30,000.
What prompted Garrett to begin fund-raising for the band was a trip to the grocery store all those years ago, where he ran into a student who was asking people to donate money to the band.
“I went down and saw the band director and he said they needed $10,000 for the drums and the horns, and that they only had $1,400, ” Garrett said. “So I said I’ll go get it.”
Garrett dedicated himself to raising the large sum of money needed to buy some of the larger instruments the school wasn’t able to afford. His dedication stemmed from a former San Benito High band member who had liked to play the drums – his son.
Bobby Garrett, who was a member of the band when he attended the high school, had succumbed to leukemia at the young age of 16, Garrett said.
“I lost my boy in 1950,” he said. “I can still see him. That’s why I worked for the band to get the uniforms and the drums and the big horns.”
It took Garrett a little more than a month to raise the money.
“Some people didn’t give me nothing – the police department, city, county – nothing,” Garrett said. “I put a piece in the paper that anyone who went to the school, give me $5 or $10. But only three people sent money in.”
The disinterest of some didn’t discourage Garrett, who found that the generosity of others would get him to his goal, he said.
Garrett approached friends, local business owners and even total strangers, which was unusual for him because that isn’t something that is usually part of his character, he said.
“I don’t talk very much, don’t know much,” he said. “I just wanted to help.”
When he finally reached his goal and the instruments were purchased, he remembers one band member in particular who made everything he’d done worth it, he said.
“He was in his senior year, and he had tears in his eyes and he said, ‘Mr. Garrett, I never thought I’d ever get a drum to play,'” Garrett said as tears welled up in his own eyes.
A few years later, Garrett found out the band needed $17,000 for new uniforms because the old ones were becoming too worn after 20 years of wear.
“So I said, hell, I’ll go get it,” he said.
This time it took him about three months to raise the money – working in the same fashion as he had before.
The third and last time he raised money for the band was several years ago when they needed new hats, which would run them about $2,500, Garrett said.
Once again Garrett’s answer to that was, “I’ll go get it,” he said.
The significance of working selflessly for a cause seems inconsequential to Garrett, who said it was just a job that needed to be done.
“I’m just telling you what other people did. They gave the money, I didn’t really do anything,” he said.
Garrett had no idea the band would be playing expressly for him Wednesday. This time the emotional impact wasn’t lost on him as he watched more than 70 young people perform in uniforms and play instruments that were available to them because of his devotion and sacrifice.
“What can you say – it doesn’t seem possible,” he said, as he dabbed a tissue at his moistened eyes.
Jim Zuniga, the band’s director, spoke in between the band’s two performances, explaining Garrett’s contributions. He also presented him with a framed varsity letter in recognition.
“It’s our way of saying to Mr. Garrett – no, no, you’re still a band member,” Zuniga said. “You’re still one of us.”
Several years ago, the school created an award in honor of Garrett with his son’s name on it for that year’s outstanding band member.
Garrett was able to meet this year’s recipient after the performance, to see first hand how he single-handedly made his son’s memory live on after so many years.
“The gift that he gave so many years ago is still there,” Zuniga said. “It’s ongoing for a whole new generation of people.”
