An area bank’s donation to the Lewisburg Area High School Foundation will fund 10 percent of the last phase of an auditorium improvement project, the final piece in a renovation project upon which the district’s alumni association has already invested more than $100,000.

Jeffrey Kapsar, president and CEO of Mifflinburg Bank & Trust in Mifflinburg, presented members of the association with $5,000 on Friday to go toward an upgrade to the high school’s sound system. Alumni members Bob Brouse and Dave Powell were present to accept the check, as well as school board president Kathy Swope.

The sound system upgrade is estimated to cost around $50,000.

“This is 10 percent of the total project of the sound system,” Brouse, chairman of the auditorium project, said. “It’s the last phase of our current project.”

The Class of 1940 also donated an undisclosed amount of money, presented by member Robert “Porky” Rohland.

The Alumni Association has already spent $102,041 on the project, including: painting the stage area, $4,000; new stage curtains, $20,300; new stage floor, $11,700; new stage lighting and electrical work, $53,217; and new carpeting, $12,824.

Additionally, the group used $3,500 to purchase a truck for the Music Association to haul instruments to events, such as football games and parades.

“This (donation) is very important because every donation we get helps our goal of raising money to complete the project,” said Powell, president of the Alumni Association.

The overall auditorium project has been ongoing for three years and the association has held two spaghetti dinners a year to raise money.

Brouse said about $1,500 to $1,900 is raised with each of those.

The rest of the money raised is “thanks to the generosity of our good alumni,” he added.

The sound system is expected to be completed next week, and Brouse said at that time the auditorium will be completely refurbished.

Donations are still being accepted toward the upgrade, and anyone interested in helping can make checks payable to Lewisburg Area High School Foundation and mailed to: The Lewisburg Area High School Foundation, P.O. Box 228, Lewisburg, Pa. 17837.