Community members or alumni from Dowagiac Union High School have the chance to give some old band uniforms and hats a new life.

Secretary for the Band Boosters Krissi O’Brien said they are cleaning house and looking to find a home for more than 100 uniforms that range between 16 and 30 years old. The proceeds for the uniforms will feed back into the band budget, serving today’s band students.

Rather than packaging them up in storage, Justin Makarewicz, director of the band said it was an opportunity to see if anyone in the community would like the uniforms to serve as a keepsake.

“The first approach was to sell them back to the community to see if they are interested,” Makarewicz said.

Two sets of uniforms are available for purchase. The newest set is from 16 years ago — with half black, half orange colors that feature a diamond design on the chest. The second set of uniforms is approximately 30 years old and consists of orange and white colors.

With enough money to purchase new uniforms, Makarewicz said it was time to update the uniforms. The new uniforms, which arrive in two weeks, have a unique design that includes silver stripes angled along the front on an orange coat and a hat with a new “D” logo complemented by an orange feather plume.

“They are amazing,” Makarewicz said. “(They have) more of a modern look.”

While the old band uniforms will likely not make for good lounge gear, O’Brien suggested that the reclaimed uniforms could be turned into something artsy like a pillow, quilt or other item to serve as a keepsake.

“It’s just something of a remembrance of their high school band days,” O’Brien said.

The price for a coat and hat is $20 and can be purchased by contacting Justin Makarewicz at the high school band room (269) 782-4420 or jmakarewicz@dowagiacschools.org. The uniforms will be sold up until Sept. 1. Payment will be accepted in the form of checks or cash. Checks must be made out to the Dowagiac Band Boosters.