Shoppers in the market for a new mattress may soon to be able to sleep better thanks to their purchase, and the knowledge that they helped the Greenville Middle School Band and Drama Club in the process.

The two organizations will be holding a mattress sale fundraiser on Feb. 20 at the GMS cafeteria. GMS Band Director Chris Pryor admitted that a mattress sale fundraiser is unusual, but said that after looking into at the suggestion of another teacher, it seemed like an opportunity too good to pass up.

“I had never heard of anything like this,” he said. “I actually thought it sounded crazy, but we’ve tried just about every other kind of fundraiser, so I thought it was worth a shot.”

According to Pryor, the organizations will get to keep 50 to 60 percent of the funds generated from the sale.

That could be a huge boost for both groups, particularly the band, which is hoping to replace worn out instruments, some of which have been in service for 50 years.

“Bands always need money,” Pryor said. “We need new instruments. Instruments that are played every day, like in a band, typically last 10-15 years. We have some that are 50 years old and are being held together by duct tape.”

Pryor said the band covers the purchase of the most expensive instruments, such as tubas, which can range from $4,000 to $6,000.

He’s hoping a partnership with Custom Fundraising Solutions will generate the funds needed to update the bands equipment.

According to Custom Fundraising Solutions’ website, the company’s goal is to help 100 locations generate $100,000 this year.

Pryor said that the company will come to GMS and set up a mobile showroom of sorts in the cafeteria. Shoppers will have the chance to test the mattresses, which according to Custom Fundraising Solutions are priced 50 percent below retail.

The sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pryor said there will be a pick up day for those who purchase mattresses approximately two weeks after the sale.