After a Mississippi high school band had nearly $40,000 stolen from it, a fast-food chain is stepping in to make sure the music goes on.
Whataburger announced an “Oh! Whata Night” fundraiser will be happening at its Getwell Road location in Southaven on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. 20% of dine-in and drive-thru sales will go to the Southaven High School Band, which recently fell victim to an embezzlement scheme.
Krystina Thompson, the former treasurer of the Southaven High School Band Boosters club and a parent, was arrested and charged with felony embezzlement in August. Law enforcement said at the time that $39,161 was unaccounted for and that Thompson stole it for personal use between June 2024 and March 2025.
“It saddens us that a fellow board member who had a student in the band, and someone we considered a close friend, would betray everyone’s trust by stealing from the students,” the Southaven High School Band Boosters said in a statement after Thompson was arrested.
Thompson, 47, bonded out of jail and entered a not-guilty plea. She is awaiting trial.
The Southaven High School Band Boosters has been working since to raise money for uniforms, instrument rentals, transportation for competitions, band camps, and food for students during events. Another fast-food chain, Chick-fil-A, recently held a similar fundraiser at its Southaven location last month. Further donations can be made here.