Do you have rhythm? Are you curious as to how you'd sound on the drums?

Friday, Jan. 15, West Pine Middle School will be hosting a community drum circle event and extends an invitation to anyone interested in having fun with a drum.

"Drumming and/or music experience is not necessary, as all participants will be led to use the drums as a creative outlet," says a spokesman.

Drumming has long been used in many cultures to build unity and foster creative expression. Students at West Pine are experiencing this firsthand.

"In an effort to go beyond the drum and make a difference, the West Pine school community is pulling together to raise money for the Africa Heartwood Project," says the spokesman.

Africa Heartwood Project's theme is "fighting poverty one drum at a time." Students and teachers are catching the vision of this theme as they collaborate to raise $6,000 to fund a bore hole in a rural village in Africa.

According to the project's Web site, "This bore hole will provide clean water to an entire community (up to 250 people) for drinking, cooking, washing, and irrigating. Diseases contracted from drinking unclean water are the number one killer of children in the world today.... students and community are engaged in a cause that will literally save lives and forever improve the quality of life for hundreds of people."

The school's fundraising efforts include drum circles such as this one, as well as school events including the winter formal, West Pine's Got Talent and the school musical.

Three eighth-graders are heading the effort as they approach local businesses and community members. The school's goal is to raise $3,000 and have the remaining $3,000 matched from the community.

Audrey Klenzak was introduced to the Africa Heartwood Project during her West Pine drum class.

"Our drums are made in Ghana," she says. "We are focusing on African rhythms in our class, so this was a good way to get involved with Africa and the drums that we use."

"Through our Wildcat Water Project, we hope to get the village that we are trying to help fresh water to meet their basic needs," adds Ashley Bleggi, another eighth-grader.

While the fundraising effort is spearheaded by students in the eighth-grade drum class, many others are contributing in various ways.

Andrew Black, a sixth-grade student at West Pine, has generously contributed to the Wildcat Water Project by donating coins he spent the entire year saving. Upon hearing about the school's goal, Black determined that rather than spend the money he had been saving on himself, he would like to contribute his entire $110 to the project.

"It [the project] gives me an opportunity to help people across the world that I wouldn't have the chance to interact with in any other way," adds eighth-grader Lindsey Houseman.

The drum circle will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. in the school gym. There is no cost to participate, but donations will be accepted. Drums will be provided, but community members are welcome to bring their own if they would like.

For more information about the Wildcat Water Project, call Marci Houseman at (910) 673-1464 or visit the Web site www.africaheartwoodproject.org/dmf/wildcat_water_project.html.