Yes, I do in fact have a heart and potentially even a soul.
If you can, please go here: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=268976&challengeid=22856 and donate a few dollars. These kids need band instruments and only have 7 more days to collect $11000. I originally found out about this charity through Adam's contest, but the meaning is so much bigger than that.
This really is an amazing charity. When you donate, the kids/teachers send thank you notes once the project is funded. I just read my first thank you notes and it really, really warms your heart to know you're making a difference in kids' lives.
Creativity is so very important in a child's development. I believe the more access they have to the arts, the better. Unfortunately (especially in this economic climate), schools are cutting budgets. More often than not, the first thing they cut is funding for the arts, including theatre, music, etc. Many of these classrooms are in high poverty areas. A creative outlet can make a huge difference in a child's life.
See below for more information on the charity linked above:
"Beginning Band or Fifth Grade Band is a great place to learn personal discipline, cooperation, and community contribution. My school is a high poverty school in which educational activities, like band, have kept kids coming back to school, and looking forward to the school day.
It is critical that students start in band when they are the most flexible and curious in their group participation choices, and the least influenced by what others consider acceptable. Any opportunity is a fun opportunity to a Fifth Grader. By Sixth Grade other influences, such as peer pressure, or fear of failure, creep in and rob discovery.
I would like to see students at the Fifth Grade level have the opportunity to try a band instrument during the school day without the financial restrictions of State, and Local budgets. To continue to give these students an option beyond the general music classroom offerings, my students need 10 clarinets, 10 flutes, 10 trumpets, 7 trombones, and 5 percussion kits. These instruments will give 42 low income students the chance to say yes to participating in something bigger than themselves.
Your gift to our band will help students bring the music that is hidden inside of them out. This gift will give them something to focus on that does not revolve around a gang, or getting into some unknown trouble, or watching TV until all hours of the night. When budgets are failing everywhere, it is more important now than ever to make sure children have something to do that is extraordinary. This gift can give an entire family hope and something to look forward to. Your donation will start a child off in building skills that he or she can use to teach others: technical skills of a particular instrument, personal discipline, cooperation, and community contribution.
To go: $11,153
Time left: 7 days
Any amount welcome.
My students need 42 band instruments, including bells, trombones, flutes, trumpets, and clarinets. The cost of this proposal is $14,772, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment ."
This really is an amazing charity. When you donate, the kids/teachers send thank you notes once the project is funded. I just read my first thank you notes and it really, really warms your heart to know you're making a difference in kids' lives.
Creativity is so very important in a child's development. I believe the more access they have to the arts, the better. Unfortunately (especially in this economic climate), schools are cutting budgets. More often than not, the first thing they cut is funding for the arts, including theatre, music, etc. Many of these classrooms are in high poverty areas. A creative outlet can make a huge difference in a child's life.
See below for more information on the charity linked above:
"Beginning Band or Fifth Grade Band is a great place to learn personal discipline, cooperation, and community contribution. My school is a high poverty school in which educational activities, like band, have kept kids coming back to school, and looking forward to the school day.
It is critical that students start in band when they are the most flexible and curious in their group participation choices, and the least influenced by what others consider acceptable. Any opportunity is a fun opportunity to a Fifth Grader. By Sixth Grade other influences, such as peer pressure, or fear of failure, creep in and rob discovery.
I would like to see students at the Fifth Grade level have the opportunity to try a band instrument during the school day without the financial restrictions of State, and Local budgets. To continue to give these students an option beyond the general music classroom offerings, my students need 10 clarinets, 10 flutes, 10 trumpets, 7 trombones, and 5 percussion kits. These instruments will give 42 low income students the chance to say yes to participating in something bigger than themselves.
Your gift to our band will help students bring the music that is hidden inside of them out. This gift will give them something to focus on that does not revolve around a gang, or getting into some unknown trouble, or watching TV until all hours of the night. When budgets are failing everywhere, it is more important now than ever to make sure children have something to do that is extraordinary. This gift can give an entire family hope and something to look forward to. Your donation will start a child off in building skills that he or she can use to teach others: technical skills of a particular instrument, personal discipline, cooperation, and community contribution.
To go: $11,153
Time left: 7 days
Any amount welcome.
My students need 42 band instruments, including bells, trombones, flutes, trumpets, and clarinets. The cost of this proposal is $14,772, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment ."