The members of the SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary are glad to see an arts program being added at Oracle, but they also know that owning a musical instrument is out of reach for many of the school’s students. So that every student from grade five to eight has an opportunity to be in the school’s future band, SaddleBrooke Sunrise has put together a campaign called Music for Kids. This is great news for the children in the Oracle School District, many whose families face financial challenges. The five year average for students on the free or reduced lunch program is 61%.
“The premise is simple,” said Theresa Poalucci, who developed the idea with other club members. “We are looking to collect used instruments from those in the community who no longer use them.” The instruments will be donated to the school and will be loaned to students who are accepted into the program. Donations are tax deductible through the SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Foundation.
The Rotarians will also accept cash donations for instrument repair, music stands and sheet music. “We will also need to purchase mouth pieces for the students to use on the various wind instruments,” continued Poalucci.
“A lot of research has been done on the benefits of musical education for young minds,” said Poalucci. “Music facilitates learning in other subjects, increased IQ, language development and increased confidence, just to name a few of the benefits. If you have an instrument at home collecting dust, bring it back to life in the hands of a young musician.” Simply call Laurie at 520-268-1057 and she will make arrangements to have a Rotarian pick up your donation. You can also learn more by visiting www.rotarymusicforkids.com.
About SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary
Our members are committed to the community! Through service projects such as giving a hand at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop or sharing stories with seniors at the Triad Senior Center, our members care. It may sound like work, but we think it’s fun! Rotary is about working together and that’s just what we do. We meet every Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. at the MountainView Country Club. If you would like to join us for breakfast, call our membership chair Roger at 520-818-9279.
About Rotary International
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit www.rotary.org.