XENIA — Members of the Xenia High School Band Boosters are already thinking about next year.

They have to.

The marching band is in desperate need of new uniforms and has a limited amount of time in which to raise the money. At $400 per uniform and the need for 100, the boosters need to place an order by July 1 to have uniforms in hand by Sept. 1, according to Laurie Fox, who is the incoming vice-president of the group. To date, the boosters have maybe $16,000 in the bank, Fox said.

“We’re at critical mass,” she said Wednesday. The boosters have applied for some grants and have held various fund-raisers, but the organization is seeking help from the community to fund the purchase and/or to follow up with letters that were sent to local businesses seeking donations. Boosters want the band to have the new uniforms sooner and not later.

“These kids, they work so hard,” Fox said. “They have such pride in the band and they love what they do.”

Band uniforms last eight years, according to Fox. Xenia has had the current uniforms for 14 years.

“We’ve definitely gotten our money’s worth from these,” Fox said.

But the current uniforms are falling apart at the seams — literally — and the shakos (caps) are becoming moldy.

Anyone interested in donating, can make a donation to the band boosters, a 401(c)3 through Greene Giving. Donors should indicate the money is for the Xenia High School marching band uniforms. Checks can be mailed to Greene County Community Foundation, 941 W. Second St., Xenia, OH 45385.