Irsay helps fund Arsenal Tech choir trip

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - In December, Arsenal Tech was selected to perform as part of the Walt Disney World's Magic Music Days program. But the cost of going to Orlando for the show is too much for many of the students who are low income or even homeless.

The school asked for locals to help fund the performance for the students. The group had performed in the evenings and held performance of Christmas carols to raise money for their trip.    

Friday, Arsenal Tech officials confirmed Jim Irsay had written the school a check to cover the remaining balance of the trip.

Cindy Hartshom with IPS said in an email to 24-Hour-News 8, "This trip was possible due to two things:  the very hard work of our students, who have performed dozens of benefit concerts, sold candy, and made their own payments, and the generosity of our alumni, community businesses, friends, neighborhood organizations, and interested churches who have provided us with venues for our benefit concerts.  We did not want this to be a trip which was handed to the students.  Instead, we encouraged them to work for it and provided opportunities for them to do that."

Irsay has asked his Twitter followers to help support the students. He presented the check to the school Friday.

School officials say the group needed to raise $42,000 before April so all 54 members can make the trip.The students will leave for Disney on March 31 and will return after two performances on April 5.