IN A GIVING MOOD
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By Brian Berk When it comes to giving, few industries can match MI. Manufacturers, retailers and trade organizations alike spend plenty of their time and money to ensure charities and neighborhoods, both near and far, receive a wide variety of important items,
such as musical instruments, that others may take for granted. Here, we take our annual look at many of the great things our manufacturers are doing to make the world a better place, with an in-depth look at what 10 companies have done. As a companion to this story, check out this month’s “Tips From the Teacher” to see some of the efforts one retailer, San Diego Music Studio, to better a far-off land.
D’Addario
The D’Addario Foundation and Guitar Center teamed up to raise more than $45,000 on International Women’s Day, which it donated to the Music Education for Girls Initiative. On that day in March, half of the proceeds from all D’Addario products sold at Guitar Center and on guitarcenter.com were donated to the D’Addario Foundation. This new funding will go toward a number of opportunities, including free instrument instruction, college scholarships and all-female programming. One of the first uses of these funds is a guitar scholarship at the Musician’s Institute that will be given to a deserving young woman. The scholarship will provide financial support for the education of a talented, newly enrolling female guitar student. “The D’Addario Foundation is incredibly appreciative of the positive response and support for this initiative,” said Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, director of The D’Addario Foundation. “We are thrilled to continue to build on this valuable partnership with Guitar Center to collectively further efforts to support and encourage more young women in music. Together we can continue to make a meaningful difference.” On April 28, the D’Addario Foundation’s Ascenté Student Orchestra traveled to Princeton University to participate in an all-day seminar with world-famous conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. Ascenté, one of only 10 El Sistema programs that were chosen to participate in this opportunity, joined more than 300 children from cities across the United States for a day of music, culminating with a concert at the close of the event. The Ascenté program, conducted on Long Island, provides free instruments and instruction to high-need students and has been in operation for more than six years. Lastly, the D’Addario Foundation College Scholarship program is officially underway. More than 25 pre-qualified student applicants participating in some of the best non-profit music instruction programs throughout the country applied. Recipients will be announced soon. The scholarships help provide critical support to students covering soft expenses such as food, transportation and books for their entire tenure at college. Over half the student recipients are the first generation in their family to attend college. The majority of students being awarded scholarships plan to continue to pursue music in college.
Electro-Harmonix
Mike Castellano, director of digital marketing and ecommerce at Electro-Harmonix (EHX), works as cubmaster of his local Cub Scout Pack, Harrison Pack 5. “I started the Pack four years ago to create a fun, enriching activity for my two sons and the kids in my community. We have over 50 Cub Scouts participating (boys and, as of this year, girls, too) and offer activities and opportunities to learn about leadership, friendship and fun. Some of the events we hold include overnight camping trips, local day hikes, a Veterans’ Day Parade, ice skating, indoor rock climbing and, of course, the Pinewood Derby. In fact, a scout from our pack won the 2017 Pinewood Derby World Championship in Times Square, New York City,” said Castellano. EHX has also made the following product donations to a wide variety of charitable causes: u Habilitat, a long-term addiction treatment center located on the island of O’ahu. EHX donated pedals to be used as auction items in its annual benefit concert. u One Step Beyond, which provides programs and services to individuals who have intellectual disabilities. EHX donated pedals for their use. u Joseph Harp Correctional Facility, located in Oklahoma, has a band program which EHX supplied products for. u Providence House is a non-profit organization with a mission to transition women who are homeless and recently released from prison back into society. A $600 donation to its 2018 Annual Appeal was made. u Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls, a non-profit organization with a mission “to build confidence and self-esteem through music creation and performance, empowering women, girls and gender-expansive folk through collaborative music creation, peer-to-peer mentoring, and advocacy for an equitable and inclusive society.” EHX gifted them with a selection of pedals. u Stunned by the devastation of Cyclone Idai, EHX donated $500 to UNICEF’s Emergency Relief for the Children of Mozambique and $500 to Catholic Relief Services for Cyclone Idai relief. u A $1,000 donation was made to the ACLU to assist in reuniting separated children with their parents or caregivers.
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MAY 2019
