The Dawson County Pride Marching Band received a gift recently when Walmart presented the group with a $2,500 check.

With the donation, the band has collected the $17,000 needed to travel to Atlanta and perform during the nationally televised halftime show of the Chick-fil-A Bowl during the New Year's weekend.

"On behalf of the entire band, band boosters, and all band parents and partners, a big thank you to all who have contributed to make this event possible for the kids and a special thank you to Chris Bearden and Walmart of Dawsonville for their generous contribution," said Denny Putlak, with the high school's band boosters.

In addition to performing during the halftime show, the band will also march in the Chick-fil-A Bowl parade and participate in the field show competition.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our marching band to represent not only our school, but Dawson County," Putlak said. "We hope everyone will support the kids."